2024 ANNUAL MEMBERS PICNIC

The Shelby County Historical Society would like to invite our members to our Annual Picnic. This event will once again be held at the farm of Doug Butler and Jamie Jarboe in Simpsonville. The Historical Society will provide chicken and drinks. Please bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to share. Members may bring a guest

In addition to a wonderful meal, guests will be treated to a presentation by our guest speaker, Dr. Patrick Lewis, Director of Collections & Research for The Filson Historical Society. Dr. Lewis will speak about “Unpacking Boone’s Knapsack: Maps, Giants, and Ideas in the Revolutionary West”. Dr. Lewis will be accompanied by Filson Community Engagement Specialist Emma Bryan, who will be present to share information about Filson Membership, programs and resources.

“The first book that Daniel Boone brought to Kentucky has left some interesting impressions on our state’s landscape,” said Lewis. His presentation will ponder “What ideas from the raucous world of 17th century British politics did he carry with him on his longhunt, and how did they fit into a world shaped for a century by Native, French, and Spanish ambitions?”

Dr. Lewis said his career has been dedicated to Kentucky and Civil War history, two of his passions. His professional employment experience includes museums, digital humanities, academic publishing, archival management, grant writing and non-profit leadership.

A Trigg County native, he has served The Filson Historical Society in multiple facets for more than 4 ½ years. Since 2020, he has been the Director of Collections & Research. He has served as Editor of Filson-sponsored publications such as Ohio Valley History.

Prior to working for The Filson Historical Society, Dr. Lewis was employed by the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort for almost nine years. One of his positions there was as the Managing Editor of Scholarly Resources and Publications.

He has worked for the National Park Service and won grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the James Graham Brown Foundation.

Dr. Lewis earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Transylvania University in Lexington in 2006. He then pursued both his master’s in History (2008) and his Doctor of Philosophy in History (2012) from the University of Kentucky.

Prior educational opportunities include working as a Living History Interpreter and Park Guide at the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park in Ft. Oglethorpe, GA. He led driving, tour bus, and walking/hiking tours of the nation’s largest Civil War military park.

Lewis is author of For Slavery and Union: Benjamin Buckner and Kentucky Loyalties in the Civil War and co-editor of Playing at War: Identity & Memory in American Civil War Era Video Games.

In January 2025, Dr. Lewis will assume the role of President & CEO for The Filson Historical Society following the retirement of current President & CEO, Richard H.C. Clay. The Filson is celebrating its 140th Anniversary this year. Since 1884, the institution has dedicated its efforts toward the collecting, preserving and sharing of the Commonwealth’s and Ohio Valley’s cultural significance.


Event Date: September 8, 5pm - 7pm
Event Location: The farm of Doug Butler and Jamie Jarboe in Simpsonville.
Event Details:

Available for sale at the picnic will be copies of the Shelby County Historical Society’s publication, The Shelby Historian. This is a great read and makes a wonderful book to give as a gift. We also still have several FREE copies of the June 2024 Shelby Life magazine with some great articles written by our members about the history of Main Street Shelbyville.

Please RSVP by calling or texting (502) 487-0379 or emailing director@shelbykyhistory.org by September 1 to reserve your seat at the Annual Members Picnic.