Kentucky is one of only four American states also considered a "commonwealth." Even though this designation has few legal implications for Kentuckians, the concept of a commonwealth--at its heart, a community formed to serve the common weal, or common well-being--does have profound philosophical implications. The Kentucky Museum & Heritage Alliance (KMHA) 2026 Annual Conference, held June 7-9, 2026, invites you to explore how our work--as public historians, preservationists, museum and arts professionals, parks administrators, avocational humanities advocates, and other lovers of Kentucky's culture--is essential to ensuring the well-being of everyone who calls the Commonwealth home.
As the nation as a whole reflects on its 250th anniversary, we have the opportunity to do our own reflection in Kentucky. What does it mean for the arts, history, and heritage institutions authentically to unite for the common public good? How can we infuse the service we provide to our communities, and to each other, with the deeper meaning of "commonwealth?" Can we further broaden our interpretation of our shared cultural inheritance? What is our responsibility to those who will inherit our cultural landscape in the future?
Registration is open!
We are so excited to see you in Paducah. Registration is now open, through this link. We will be offering an exciting array of activities for conference-goers, including:
- Sessions, exhibits, and networking at the River Discovery Center on the historic Paducah riverfront
- Opening block party at the Hotel Metropolitan, complete with hotel tours, living history performances, live music, and food, all offered in a dynamic celebration of Paducah’s historic Black community in “Upper Town”
- Optional pre-and-post-conference field trips and experiences in the area, including The Super Museum (Metropolis, IL), Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site, and the National Quilt Museum
Our conference hotel is the Holiday Inn Paducah Riverfront by IHG with a special rate of $110/night (plus taxes and fees) for all KMHA attendees. To book your room at this special rate, use the booking link BEFORE MAY 26. BOOK NOW!
DAY ONE - Sunday, June 7, 2026
1:00-2:00 PM
KMHA Board of Directors Meeting, McCracken County Public Library, 555 Washington Street, Paducah, Kentucky
1:30-4:30 PM
Registration & Check-In, Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau, 128 Broadway Street, Paducah, Kentucky
1:30-4:30 PM
Add-On Field Trip: Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site, 94 Green Street, Wickliffe, Kentucky
Join us for a guided tour of the Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site to learn about the mounds, village life, trade networks, and artifacts of Native People of the Mississippian culture, dating 1100 to 1350 C.E. The Museum is an archaeological excavation area, and three mounds are available for viewing. The Welcome Center features a gift shop with handcrafts and souvenirs, as well as displays about the park's history.
Additional registration required. An optional carpool will leave from the Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1:30 PM, or attendees can meet directly at the site for the tour at 2 PM.
2:00-5:30 PM
Add-On Field Trip: Super Museum & Lois Lane Statue, 517 Market Street, Metropolis, Illinois
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a fun conference field trip to beautiful Metropolis, Illinois to take in the Super Museum, one man's personal collection of Superman costumes, props, memorabilia, and collectibles from the comic, film, television, and radio lives of the Man of Steel. Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit the nearby Lois Lane Memorial.
Additional registration required. An optional carpool will leave from the Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau at 2:00 PM, or attendees can meet directly at the sire for the tour at 2:30 PM.
2:30-3:30 PM
Add-On Tour: Guided Curator Tour of Exhibits, National Quilt Museum, 215 Jefferson Street, Paducah, Kentucky
Enjoy a special, curator-led tour of the remarkable exhibits of the National Quilt Museum, gaining special insight into the world of contemporary American quilt culture.
Additional registration required. Meet at the site.
3:30-5:00 PM
Add-On Tour: White Glove Experience, National Quilt Museum, 215 Jefferson Street, Paducah, Kentucky
Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the collection of the National Quilt Museum, understanding the ins-and-outs of careful storage and preservation of this unique and important collection of textiles.
Additional registration required. Meet at the site.
6:00-8:00 PM
Opening Reception, Hotel Metropolitan, 724 Oscar Cross Avenue, Paducah, Kentucky
Join us for an evening of dinner, socializing, and amazing living history performances by figures central to this important landmark in the historic Black neighborhood of the "Upper Town" in Paducah, including Betty Dobson as the hotel's founder, Maggie Steed, Jaelon Harris as Sam Cook, and Tineka Fitzgerald as Mahalia Jackson. Learn more about the Hotel Metropolitan here.
DAY TWO - Monday, June 8, 2026
8:00-9:00 AM
Registration and Exhibitor Hall, River Discovery Center, 17 South Water Street, Paducah, Kentucky
9:00-10:00 AM
SESSION A (Founders Room): "Not So Common Work: Representing Underrepresented Voices in the Commonwealth"
Jacqueline Hudson, PhD, African American History Program Manager, Filson Historical Society
Ann Glazer Niren, PhD, Curator of Jewish Collections, Filson Historical Society
A true commonwealth, that is, an institution designed for the common good, offers a wonderfully democratic concept in the abstract, but historically, it has not always been the case. Kentucky’s institutions were often far from welcoming to people of color and Jews, who were largely excluded from country clubs and social organizations until the end of the twentieth century. Institutions such as the Pendennis Club and Big Spring Country Club in Louisville actively prohibited African American and Jewish members until 1974; it was not until 2006 that such places opened to everyone. Even if there was no written proscription against marginalized people in some organizations in Kentucky, it was often understood that people of color and Jews need not apply.
As a result, it makes sense why Jews and African American individuals were reticent to join such organizations, even after they were allowed. At the Filson Historical Society in Louisville, it has been difficult to convince marginalized people that they are welcome. To that end, the Filson established the Jewish Community Archive (JCA) in 2017, and the African American History Initiative (AAHI) followed in 2024, with the intention of helping these groups find their respective voices.
The Filson’s African American History Initiative and the Jewish Community Archive are somewhat unique in Kentucky, positioning themselves as an outlet for underrepresented voices. These repositories serve as the only full-time archive/museum/exhibit space in Louisville dedicated to this purpose. Our presentation will examine the genesis of these two collections within the Filson, their importance within their respective communities, and the outlet for outreach they provide for marginalized people in the Ohio Valley. We believe that at the Filson, all people’s voices and stories deserve to be heard.
SESSION B (Education Classroom): "Our Currency of Connection: Approaching Community with the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX)"
Tyler McDaniel, Blueprint Kentucky & RUX Steering Committee
Eleanor Hasken-Wagner, Director, Capital City Museum & RUX Steering Committee
For 12 years the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange has been forging deeper connections among Kentuckians across the varied geographies and cultures of the Commonwealth. By utilizing the unique expressions of culture in communities statewide we highlight the ways that our commonalities unite people more than perceived differences. In turn, offering opportunities for deeper connection, reflection, and transformation through what we call the Currency of Connection: people, place, and partnership.
In this session we will highlight RUX, our programming components, and the central ethos that drives our work. Projects funded through the RUX microgrant program will be highlighted to show how the full scope of places is a complex narrative structure that weaves both past and present. After orienting to RUX and it's values we will hold a brief conversation on the impact of our work before opening up to the audience for questions and reflections.
10:00-10:30 AM
Mid-Morning Break & Networking with Refreshments, River Discovery Center, 17 South Water Street, Paducah, Kentucky
10:30-11:30 AM
SESSION A (Founders Room): "State of Emergency: Preparing for Disasters in Kentucky"
Maggie Bond, Registrar, University of Kentucky Art Museum
Rusty Heckaman, State Archivist, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
Rachel Hooper, Curator, University of Kentucky Art Museum
Kentucky has declared 19 disasters in the last five years. Our panel of University of Kentucky staff will share our experiences working in arts institutions that survived major disasters and how we apply that training as we create exhibitions. Maggie Bond is registrar at the UK Art Museum and will share the steps she takes to manage exhibitions and preserve a collection of over 5,000 works of art. Melissa Bond is the UK Extension advisor to the Kentucky Heritage Emergency Response Network and will share new resources the group has developed. Rachel Hooper is curator at the UK Art Museum, and she will discuss her work with creatives and audiences who have been traumatized by disasters and strategies for mitigating the effects with compassion and purpose. We will share concrete actions that any museum worker can take to prepare for the likelihood of a disaster affecting their institution.
SESSION B (Education Classroom): "All History is Local: Western Kentucky's Museums and Historical Societies in Conversation"
Dr. James B. Seaver, Community Engagement Coordinator, Kentucky Historical Society (Moderator)
Andrea Clement, Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum, Marion, Kentucky
Tommy Hines, South Union Shaker Village, Auburn, Kentucky
Connor Humphrey, John James Audubon State Park, Henderson, Kentucky
Glenn Slack, Historic Todd County, Inc., Elkton, Kentucky
Western Kentucky is home to dozens of small museums and local historical societies committed to preserving and sharing their area’s history and heritage. Often operating on shoestring budgets and heavily reliant upon volunteers, these organizations nevertheless accomplish remarkable feats at the local level, adding great richness to the Commonwealth’s cultural landscape as a whole and contributing significantly to local economies. This roundtable forum brings the leadership of several of these museums and historical societies into conversation with each other to discuss common goals, share strategies for navigating common challenges, and highlight recent trends in cultural stewardship at the local level.
11:30 AM-1:30 PM
Lunch provided by KMHA, Max's Brick Oven Cafe, 112 Market House Square, Paducah, Kentucky
1:30-2:30 PM
SESSION A (Founders Room): "Out of the Archive: Sharing Kentucky's LGBTQ History"
Josh Porter, Assistant Executive Director, Faulkner Morgan Archive
Natalie Warren, Collections Manager, Faulkner Morgan Archive
Join Natalie Warren and Josh Porter as they showcase the various methods used by the Faulkner Morgan Archive to share Kentucky’s LGBTQ history across the Commonwealth. From Sweet Evening Breeze's drag performances in the 1920s to the passage of the Fairness Ordinance in 1999, this presentation will provide an overview of the origins of the Faulkner Morgan Archive, the content of their collections, and how Faulkner Morgan Archive’s mission guides their engagement with the community. Amid a rising anti-LGBTQ political climate, Warren and Porter will discuss various tactics to continue highlighting this history through collecting and programming.
SESSION B (Education Classroom): "Leveraging Historic Tax Credits for Community Revitalization"
Carol Gault, Director of Planning, City of Paducah, Kentucky
This session provides a practical overview of Historic Tax Credits and how they can be leveraged to finance the rehabilitation of income-producing historic properties. Attendees will learn what tax credits are, who qualifies, when and how to file, and why these incentives are powerful tools for downtown and neighborhood revitalization. The presentation will also explain how credits can be monetized through partnerships and syndication. Featuring photos of local tax credit projects, this session demonstrates how preservation and economic development work together to drive sustainable community growth.
2:30-3:00 PM
Mid-Afternoon Break & Networking
3:00-4:00 PM
SESSION A (Founders Room): "Experiential Learning Through Public History: Teaching History Beyond the Classroom"
Dr. Christine Lindner, Professor, Murray State University
Dr. James Humphreys, Professor, Murray State University
Dr. Tamara Feinstein, Professor, Murray State University
Emma Alexander, Student, Murray State University
Gabriel Crass, Student, Murray State University
This pedagogy focused roundtable explores different ways Murray State University faculty have either brought students out of the classroom to engage with public history, or have brought public history analysis into the classroom. Three professors will discuss their projects that focused on publicly presenting historical context at a community cinema program (Cinema International), engaging and reflecting on regional historical sites like Fort Donelson, and integrating public history content into historical analysis. Two student respondents will reflect on their experiences participating in these projects.
SESSION B (Education Classroom): "Paducah's Laying Around the Bend: The Mary Wheeler Collection"
Nathan Lynn, Local and Family History Coordinator, McCracken County Public Library
During the early 20th century musicologist Mary Wheeler collected songs, stories, and photographs of former river laborers living near Paducah, KY. The collection, now housed at the McCracken County Public Library, provides a rare glimpse into the lives of roustabouts and chambermaids of the packet boat era. Learn about the individuals associated with this one-of-a-kind American inland waterway's collection and the library's approach to sharing this regional story with the world.
4:00-6:00 PM
Evening Reception, 1857 Hotel Event Venue, 210 Kentucky Avenue, Paducah, Kentucky
DAY THREE - Tuesday, June 9, 2026
8:00-9:00 AM
Registration and Exhibitor Hall, River Discovery Center, 17 South Water Street, Paducah, Kentucky
9:00-10:00 AM
SESSION A (Founders Room): "The Unbroken Union: Louisville's Black Baseball Legacy"
Bailey Mazik, Curator & Exhibits Director, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
P.J. Shelley, Education & Programming Manager, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
This joint presentation will explore important Black baseball history connections in Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory’s archives including pre-Negro League Black baseball in Louisville and the role Louisville Slugger played for Negro Leagues players.
The painstaking process of combing through thousands of company records to uncover these historically significant connections will also be addressed. New discoveries continue to emerge as a small but dedicated museum team carries this research forward. For a timely and site-specific connection, we are aiming to connect the findings in our archives with stories of Negro Leagues players who stayed at Hotel Metropolitan in Paducah.
Select artifacts from the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory collection—many not normally on display—will complement the presentation. These include model bats from the company’s Bat Vault, some more than 100 years old; the 90-year-old branding plate of Martín Dihigo; and a reproduction of Jackie Robinson’s 1946 bat contract.
SESSION B (Education Classroom): "How to Read Weaving Drafts and the Most Common Designs in Kentucky"
Michelle Amos, Executive Director, The Little Loomhouse
A contemporary weaving draft consists of four components: threading, tie-up, treadling, and drawdown. Historic weaving drafts are often missing three of the four components in a modern draft. Through visual slide presentation, the presenter will explain each component of a weaving draft and its application by the weaver in the design and creation of woven artifacts. Potential methods for deciphering historic drafts, which frequently lack complete components, will be addressed. A review of common weave structures and patterns prevalent in Kentucky will be included. The presentation will conclude with an exercise wherein attendees will practice deciphering the patterns in a historic draft sample utilizing graph paper, prior to opening the floor for discussion.
10:00-10:30 AM
Mid-Morning Break & Networking with Refreshments, River Discovery Center, 17 South Water Street, Paducah, Kentucky
10:30-11:30 AM
SESSION A (Founders Room): "Archives Without an Archivist: Practical Stewardship for Small Institutions"
Allison Kilberg, Archivist & Consultant, Kilberg Archival Services
Many small museums, historical societies, and cultural organizations care for archival materials without a trained archivist on staff. This session provides a practical introduction to archival stewardship for institutions working with limited time, staffing, and resources. Participants will learn core archival principles, common pitfalls, and realistic strategies for stabilizing, organizing, and improving access to archival collections. Framed within the theme “Commonwealth, Common Work,” the session emphasizes archives as a shared responsibility that supports community memory while preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
SESSION B (Education Classroom): "Nerd at the Museum: Using Pop Culture to Build Relevance, Engagement, and Inclusion in Exhibits, Programming, and More!"
Eric Brooks, Chief Curator, Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate
Patrick Lay, Chair of Comics & Narrative Practice, Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD)
11:30 AM-12:30 PM
SESSION A (Founders Room): "Behind the Vault Door: Storage Tours & Other Ways to Allow Access to Your Collection"
Amanda Briede, Curator, Frazier History Museum
Bryan Morey, Collections Manager, Kentucky Museum, Western Kentucky University
Do you have an amazing collection that gets little time on view if any? Are you looking for ways to get your museum collection more exposure and access? Or perhaps ways to get donors and members excited about the collection and what it does for your public? Let’s talk about ways to do that. In this session we will look at how you can use storage tours as ways to engage members and educate donors. We will talk about other ways to bring your collection out for the public to see, or techniques to bring the public into your spaces for better access to the collection in your care. Whether that is for museum programs, student research or events. We will talk about running a collections table and how not to be afraid of having your collection in close view of the public. Lead by Amanda Briede at the Frazier Kentucky History Museum and Bryan Morey Collections Manager at the Kentucky History Museum at Western Kentucky University, this session will take on the topic of better access to your collection through storage tours, facilitating up close research and use of collections in programing from different museum perspectives.
SESSION B (Education Classroom): "Preserving and Telling a Complete Story of Western Kentucky History, Art, and Culture"
Jayne Moore Waldrop, Author
Michael McBride, Illustrator
Rhonda McCorry-Smith, President, Paducah Historical Preservation Group
This panel discussion features Rhonda McCurry-Smith, president of Paducah Historical Preservation Group (PHPG), Jayne Moore Waldrop and Michael McBride, who as author and illustrator have collaborated on two picture book biographies of Helen LaFrance and Ellis Wilson, both acclaimed African American artists who grew up in or near Mayfield, Kentucky. The panelists will discuss their work and advocacy to preserve western Kentucky history and culture, and to tell a more complete history of the region. In 2024 PHPG purchased at auction a collection of Helen LaFrance paintings in order to keep the paintings together in western Kentucky and to provide free public exhibitions of the artwork. PHPG also works to highlight the Civil Rights leadership of William Stuart Nelson, collects and preserves cornerstones of historic Black churches, and sponsors an annual African American Artist Showcase in downtown Paducah. With Waldrop's research and writing, coupled with McBride's watercolor illustrations, two books have been published by Shadelandhouse Modern Press about the lives and art of the two artists from Mayfield: A Journey in Color: The Art of Ellis Wilson (2022) and She Remembered It All: The Art of Memory Painter Helen LaFrance (2024), which received the Independent Book Publishers Association Gold Book Award for Black/African American Communities.
11:30 AM-12:30 PM
Add-On Tour: Local and Family History Room, McCracken County Public Library, 555 Washington Street, Paducah, Kentucky
12:30-2:00 PM
Lunch and Annual Meeting, 1857 Hotel Event Venue, 210 Kentucky Avenue, Paducah, Kentucky
2:00-6:30 PM
Open Exhibit Hours: The Art and Life of Helen LaFrance, Market House Museum, 121 Market House Square, Paducah, Kentucky
2:30-3:30 PM
Add-On Tour: Guided Curator Tour of Exhibits, National Quilt Museum, 215 Jefferson Street, Paducah, Kentucky
Enjoy a special, curator-led tour of the remarkable exhibits of the National Quilt Museum, gaining special insight into the world of contemporary American quilt culture.
Additional registration required. Meet at the site.
3:30-5:00 PM
Add-On Tour: White Glove Experience, National Quilt Museum, 215 Jefferson Street, Paducah, Kentucky
Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the collection of the National Quilt Museum, understanding the ins-and-outs of careful storage and preservation of this unique and important collection of textiles.
Additional registration required. Meet at the site.
