Exhibits at the Shelby County Historical Society Museum
250 Years of Clothing in Shelby County, Kentucky
Current Exhibit (now through December 2026)
We decided to go all out and celebrate Shelby County in a BIG way for our latest exhibit. 250 Years of Clothing in Shelby County, Kentucky depicts clothing from the Eastern Woodland Native tribes in our area and settlement period to the current decade. We have a rich history, one we want to share with everyone – it not only tells the story of Shelby County and its people, but the story of Kentucky and the nation as well. Many of our members have donated clothing to our collection over the years and we saw this as the perfect opportunity to showcase these items. We currently have on display items from the Beth & Ted Thomas Collection and the Latisha Hays Collection.
We have many incredible loaned items as well. Our Museum Committee Chair, Brian Cushing, and his wife, Amy Liebert (Textile Consultant), have lent an assortment of clothing and accessories to provide a timeline exhibit of how our ancestors dressed. Some of the items from their personal collection are a Roller Print Dress (1836) and straw bonnet from the 1830s and Wool Day Dress (1844). Both reproductions were hand-stitched by Liebert. Also on loan from them is a Men’s Suit from the 1860s/1870s. These items are originals; the shirt and trousers belonged to Corporal James V. Hicks (1836-1903). On display are military uniforms hand-made by Steve Abolt, a tailor with 40+ years of experience. Visitors to the museum will see Abolt’s replica uniforms from the War of 1812, an 1847 Officer’s Frock Coat, and Santa Anna’s uniform. Camp Nelson National Monument has loaned a reproduction uniform depicting the 5th US Colored Cavalry involved in the 1865 Simpsonville Massacre. SCHS member Sarahbeth Farabee loaned dresses her mother, Betty Jean Chatham, a concert pianist, wore while on tour oversees.
From the Shelby County Historical Society Collection, you will see and learn about World War I soldier Henry Abraham Rothchild, World War II veteran Lt. Guy Lea, US Army Nurse Amanda Hornback (uniform on loan from VFW Post 1179), and US Navy veteran Robert Foster Matthews, Jr. All had ties to our community.
This exhibit would not be complete without showcasing items from our local schools and sports memorabilia. You’ll find clothing and accessories relating to Science Hill Female Academy, begun in 1825 by Julia Ann Tevis; a schoolmaster’s desk used by Rev. George S. Scearce; and a scrapbook from the Lincoln Institute. The DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution, Isaac Shelby Chapter) also filled a case to represent their organization. Governor Martha Layne Collins, from Bagdad, KY, was a member of the DAR!
This exhibit would not have been possible without grants from The Kentucky Historical Society America250 Kentucky and the Shelby County Community Foundation.
This exhibit will remain in place until December 2026 at which time certain loaned items will be removed and replaced, and Shelby County Historical Society items and accessories will be replaced with different artifacts from our collection to showcase more of what we have in storage. Thank you to all who made this exhibit possible with your time, talents, and funding.
Our museum is located in what used to be the manse (minister’s residence) for the First Presbyterian Church located on the corner lot. Built in 1872, the first minister to live in it would have been Rev. John Sharshall Grasty (1825 – 1883). Born in Virginia, he was called to preach in Shelbyville for a time before relocating elsewhere, and eventually dying in Missouri. Rev. Grasty was married to Mrs. Ella Peltus Grasty and they had five children.
Past Exhibits
Science Hill Female Academy: The Leadership of Educated Women
Exhibit (2025)
Julia Ann Hieronymus Tevis was a woman far ahead of her time. Destined to be a brilliant educator, Julia established what became one of the first Protestant preparatory schools for girls west of the Allegany Mountains in 1825 in Shelby County, KY: Science Hill Female Academy.
Born in Clark County, KY on December 5, 1799 to Pendleton Hieronymus (1775-1820) and Mary “Polly” Bush (1778-1833), she eventually met and married Rev. John Tevis (1792-1861), a Methodist minister from Shelbyville, Kentucky. Their legacy became the school they opened in their home – Science Hill Female Academy. A home and school for many girls, it was renowned for teaching them science and math, subjects generally only taught to boys at the time. They were instructed in Greek, Latin, French, botany, chemistry, astronomy, geology, and Bible studies, including the humanities taught through such subjects as writing, music, singing, dancing and theatre. Students enjoyed such recreational activities as field hockey, tennis, basketball, badminton, archery and parlor games. When it was time to finally retire, Julia Tevis sold the school to Dr. Wiley T. Poynter and his wife, Dr. Clara Davis Martin Poynter. The Poynter family ran the school for 42 years from 1879 – 1937. Dr. Wiley T. Poynter died in 1896, and Clara continued to run the school until her death with the assistance of their daughters, Harriet and Juliet. The school was in operation from 1825 – 1939, and has had other uses, including a popular restaurant. The building is now occupied by Wakefield-Scearce Galleries. Two full rooms of the museum are dedicated to the history of Science Hill School.
The Poynter family took over in 1879 when they purchased the school from Mrs. Tevis. Dr. Wiley Taul Poynter was a teacher and principal of the school until his death in 1896. His wife, Clara Davis Martin Poynter, took over as principal and ran the school until her death in 1937. Their daughters Juliet and Harriet ran the school until its doors closed for good in 1939.
After Science Hill School closed its doors, people still continued to occupy its space. The original building had been added onto over the years. For a time, it served as apartments, became the home of the rather famous Science Hill Inn restaurant, and by the early 1960’s, Wakefield-Scearce Galleries had a permanent home in a large portion of the building. Years before, in 1947, Mark A. Wakefield and Mark J. Scearce first rented the chapel/auditorium for their antiques business. Over time Mr. Scearce acquired the remaining property and conducted renovations. There is also a display case on our first floor filled with items on loan from Matt Burnett, President & CEO of Wakefield-Scearce Galleries.
Early Shelby County, Kentucky History
Our third room and some first floor space contains artifacts representing early Shelby County, Kentucky history. Visitors will learn about Isaac Shelby, our first governor and namesake of our county; view the Ballard Dollhouse, an exquisite replica of Helen Ballard’s home; see vintage doll accessories; a collection of Native arrowheads; Civil War swords; and other artifacts pertaining to Shelby County, Kentucky history.
