The Patriotic Clark Family

SHELBY COUNTY, KY - Jim Holmberg, a former Curator for the Filson Historical Society, will be the featured speaker on April 15th for the kickoff of a special new series focusing on America’s 250th birthday in 2026. With Liberty & Justice For All! is a series of four programs created by the Shelby County Historical Society & the Countdown to USA 250! Committee. Each program will highlight an aspect surrounding the Revolutionary War era. Holmberg is known for writing and lecturing on a variety of topics; his main focus is the Lewis and Clark Expedition with special emphasis on William Clark and York. This program begins at 6 pm and will take place at the Carnegie Library Center, 731 College St., Shelbyville.

The prominent Clark family contributed greatly to the settlement of Kentucky. Many are familiar with General George Rogers Clark, founder of Louisville and Revolutionary War hero. His brother William Clark was co-leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Their sister Lucy married William Croghan, owner of Locust Grove. Mulberry Hill was the name of the Clark family home in Jefferson County, KY.

A native of Louisville, Holmberg received a BA in history and MA in American History from the University of Louisville. He joined the staff of The Filson Historical Society in May 1982 and currently serves in a part-time capacity as the Filson Historical Society Curator Emeritus. He is also a former history instructor at the University of Louisville and for the continuing education program at Bellarmine University.

Holmberg has edited, written, and contributed to six Lewis and Clark related books and contributed a variety of articles to We Proceeded On and other publications. His major work is Dear Brother: Letters of William Clark to Jonathan Clark published by Yale University Press in 2002. Holmberg has written entries for the Kentucky Encyclopedia, Dictionary of Virginia Biography, African American National Biography, The Encyclopedia of the New American Nation, and The Encyclopedia of Louisville (for which he also served as editor of the pioneer related entries).

The SAR (Sons of the American Revolution, Gov. Isaac Shelby Chapter), DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution, Isaac Shelby Chapter), Painted Stone Settlers, Inc., and Shelby County Public Library are partnering with the Shelby County Historical Society to present this series of four programs. Future programs include: May 13th – A Hero’s Welcome: LaFayette Returns - Julien Icher, President, The Lafayette Trail, Inc.; July 15th – Into the Bluegrass - Mel Hankla, Owner/CEO American Historic Services, Educator, Writer, and authority on the history surrounding the Kentucky Longrifle; and August 19th – Pulling up Roots: Moving to the Kentucky Frontier in the Midst of War - Nancy O’Malley, Author and Archeologist responsible for surveying and unearthing artifacts from the original Painted Stone Station site in Shelby County, KY. All programs will be open to the public and free of charge. The May 13th program will take place at the Shelby County Historical Society Museum & Stargazer Plaza. All others at the Carnegie Library Center.

Be sure to check out Revolutionary Minutes airing on the Shelby County Historical Society’s YouTube channel and Facebook group page. These are the most fun and informative 60 + seconds of history you’ll ever witness! Learn about the struggles our Patriot ancestors and Founding Fathers faced to create the United States of America.


Event Date:
Tuesday, April 15th, 2025 at 6pm
Event Location:
Carnegie Library Center, located at 731 College St, Shelbyville, KY 40065
Event Details:
For more information, contact the Shelby County Historical Society at (502) 513-5555 or email director@shelbykyhistory.org.

Download The Event Flyer HERE