The Grayson County Historical Society will host a Heritage Day celebration.
The unique event will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, on East Main Street in Leitchfield from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is in recognition of the United States 250th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the Historical Society.
Admission is free.
The special event honors our pioneer ancestors and highlights how they lived, and includes:
- Activities in the parking lot adjacent to the Jack Thomas House will include a mobile blacksmith demonstrating how metal items were forged during the founding of our country, as well as logs set up to display the various joinery techniques used in early home construction.
- A community quilt, created from fabrics donated by the people of Grayson County, will be assembled and displayed during the event.
- A one-room school simulation illustrating how school was conducted in earlier times, along with a house and wash station featuring primitive washboards and household items used by pioneers.
- A pioneer kitchen exhibit will allow guests to churn butter and examine the tools and processes typical of early kitchens.
- Gun experts who specialize in early American firearms. They will demonstrate how the guns functioned, how pioneers used them, and provide a brief history of the weapons.
- A group of trappers will show how hides were secured and prepared for clothing and other essential items.
- An opportunity for visitors to weave their own cane-bottom footstool; however, all supplies must be prepaid prior to the event. A maximum of 20 stools will be woven, and if interest exceeds that number, an additional cane-weaving day will be scheduled.
- Hands-on activities for children, such as making cornhusk dolls and button spinners, and signing historical documents with quill pens.
Additionally, for those interested in genealogy research, the Daughters of the American Revolution will offer guidance on tracing family history. The Children of the American Revolution will also attend in costume, portraying famous Kentuckians from the era as well as prominent individuals from Grayson County.
A timeline display will highlight significant events in the county, state, and nation from 1776 through 2026. The Jack Thomas House and Buchanan Log Cabin will be open for tours, giving visitors the chance to explore the museum and learn more about Grayson County’s history.
Food trucks will be present throughout the day, offering food available for purchase. The day will conclude with refreshments as attendees celebrate the Historical Society’s 50th anniversary. During the ceremony, this year’s scholarship recipient will be recognized, and local elected officials will be invited to sign the annual Grayson County History Week proclamation.
For more information about Heritage Day, including how you can donate material for the community quilt, visit the Historical Society’s Facebook page, or website (graysoncountykyhistory.com), or call the Jack Thomas House at 270-230-8989.
Information on the Community Quilt
The Historical Society is creating a “community quilt” and your help is needed. The deadline for dropping off the article of clothing is March 31.
Several people have asked if they can donate a piece of fabric that belonged to a loved one, or an old feed sack.
“The answer is yes, those fabrics will work. If you want to participate, we will gladly accept the fabrics old or new,” GCHS said.
The items can be dropped off at the Jack Thomas House during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 10:00-4:00), or given to any of the Historical Society board members.
By Melinda Baum, Vice Pres. of the GCHS, Scotty Gore, Pres. of the GCHS and Ken Howlett, News Director
