Shelby County Historical Society
627 Main Street
Shelbyville, KY 40065
Hours:
Wednesday-Friday (10AM-4PM)
Saturday (10AM-2PM)
or by appointment, admission is free.
Mailing Address:
PO Box 444
Shelbyville, KY 40066
Call us:(502)513-5555
email: director@shelbykyhistory.org
The Shelby County Historical Society’s mission is to preserve and promote knowledge and appreciation of Shelby County and Kentucky History.
We are a 501(c)3 organization, donations to the historical society maybe tax deductible!
Shelby County Historical Society
2024 Board Members
President: Trace Kirkwood
Vice President: Sarahbeth Farabee
Treasurer: Belinda Nichols
Secretary: Julie Mulcahy
Executive Director: Helen McKinney
Serving Through 2024:
Jeffrey Bell
Jon Park
Serving Through 2025:
Heather Cecil
Kenneth Harris
Serving Through 2026:
Bonnie Burks Gray
Leon Mooneyhan
Contact The Director At director@shelbykyhistory.org
Helen E. McKinney is an Oldham County native and direct descendant of Samuel Boone, Daniel Boone’s older brother. Samuel was one of the first settlers to live at Boone’s Station in Athens, Fayette Co., Ky, with Daniel and other family members. They settled there on Christmas Day, 1779, while younger brother Squire Boone, Jr was attempting to settle in Shelby County. Since that time, each generation of her family has lived in Clark Co., KY until 1937, when her grandparents moved to Oldham County. She is a member of The Boone Society, Kentucky Historical Society, the Painted Stone Settlers, Inc. and a Kentucky Colonel.
As a double major, she earned a BA in History and a BA in English at Bellarmine University. Having been a freelance writer for over 20 years, she has combined the two interests to interweave them into a career that has been filled with writing, research, genealogy, and all things history. Helen also has a background in the museum field based upon previous job experience.
A love for genealogy, a life-long quest to explore her ancestors and their lives, and a dive into what really rests within our DNA, keeps history exciting and makes it come alive for her. As a re-enactor of the 18th century lifestyle on the Kentucky frontier, she has had the chance to experience what her ancestors found when they discovered Kentucky.
“It isn’t how you die. It’s what you live for.” Daniel Boone.
Shelby County Historical Society President
Trace Kirkwood is a trained historian who earned a Master of Arts degree from Western Kentucky University. He also holds undergraduate degrees in history and political science. Many recognize him from his time as Shelbyville’s Historic District Coordinator.
He has worked as an archivist and records manager for the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives. While there he was the West Kentucky Regional administer for the Local Records Program. He also worked as a research historian for a consulting firm in Lexington. He is currently employed by HF Group in the Government Records Preservation Division as a Document Restoration Specialist. Through his various professional positions, Trace has stepped inside every courthouse in all 120 counties in Kentucky.
In the early years of his career, Trace was the assistant curator of Special Collections at the Filson Historical Society where he cataloged several of their great collections. In that role he was able to handle the papers of Don Carlos Buell, Henry Watterson, Barry Bingham Sr., and early settlers of the Louisville area such as the Beall family.
A Publications Award was received for Salute to the Past: The Shaping of Shelby County, Kentucky (pub. 2017). This award-winning magazine was the work of Editors Sherry Jelsma and Jack Brammer and Designer James Mulcahy, in addition to the many talented writers who contributed their excellent research and writing skills to interpret a fascinating portrait of Shelby County life. Sherry has been very instrumental to our historical society over the years in many ways, including Summer History Camp, along with the countless volunteers who make the historical society a success.
The SCHC’s most recent Education Award was for Summer History Camp: The Gilded Age in KY, which took place on June 6 – 9, 2023 at various locations in downtown Shelbyville. Longtime co-directors John Graham and Sharon Hackworth accepted the award in Frankfort on June 1, KY History Day. The award signifies exceptional accomplishments in Kentucky history and recognition by the Kentucky Historical Society of its commitment to foster strong connections throughout the state to preserve our unique history.
The Shelby County Historical Society is a member of:
AASLH (American Association of State and Local History)
Shelby County Chamber of Commerce
Kentucky Historical Society
KMHA (Kentucky Museum & Heritage Alliance)
Participant in Leadership Shelby (2018 and 2024)
Participant in Shelby County Young Leaders
Partners with VFW Post 1179
Awards:
Kentucky Historical Society Publication Award (2018) – Salute to the Past
Kentucky History and Trust Fund Grant (2017)
Kentucky Historical Society Education Awards (2014, 2022 and 2024)
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627 Main Street
Shelbyville, KY 40065
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 444
Shelbyville, KY 40066