KMHA is proud to offer a virtual professional development and cultural enrichment series called Learn@Lunch. From the comfort of your own computer, learn a new skill, dive into a new subject, and never stop learning! In 2026, we will explore topics as varied as the history of Kentucky quilters, to the ABCs of disaster response, to the process involved in applying for an historic marker. Join our mailing list to keep up to date with registrations, and see the bottom of this page for videos of past programs.
Upcoming Programs
Growing a Museum from the Groundhog Up
with Patrick Donley of the Mary Street Midden Project
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 1 PM EST/12 PM CST
Join the Kentucky Museum and Heritage Alliance and The Mary Street Midden Project for a fascinating virtual presentation.
In 2019 Patrick Donley discovered--through the aid of Phyllis the Groundhog--that his warehouse and art studio had been built on the site of a former nineteenth-century Louisville dump. Thousands of artifacts later, a museum is emerging atop those layers of history that will tell the story of Louisville one relic at a time. Join Patrick as he shares with us the story of the Mary Street Midden Project in "Growing a Museum from the Groundhog Up."
Patrick Donley is a multidisciplinary artist whose career spans painting, sculpture, music, and, most recently, an unexpected foray into archaeology. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Davidson College and a Master of Fine Arts from Northwestern University. Patrick has contributed significantly to the arts through his work with several esteemed institutions, including gallery management at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston and collection handling for the Speed Art Museum in Louisville. A longtime champion of the local arts community, he was also a proud owner of the former Zephyr Gallery in Louisville. With a deep appreciation for history and creativity, Patrick is now embracing this exciting new chapter–one that blends his artistic sensibilities with the thrill of discovery–as director of the Mary Street Midden Project.
This virtual program is free to KMHA members and $10 for non-members.
Disaster Planning: Working with Emergency Responders
with the Kentucky Heritage Emergency Response Network (KHERN)
Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 1 PM EST/12 PM CST
Presented by Leah Hamilton and Jason York of the Kentucky Heritage Emergency Response Network (KHERN), this session is designed for staff and volunteers who want to feel more prepared before an emergency happens. We'll talk about how emergency management works in Kentucky, who your local emergency responders are, and how to start building relationships with them before a hazard event. We'll also cover what first responders need to know about cultural organizations, including the unique challenges of caring for collections during an emergency. The focus will be on realistic, doable steps that organizations can take to improve communication and coordination when it matters most!
This virtual program is free to KMHA members and $10 for non-members.
Kentucky Quilts and Quiltmakers
with author Linda LaPinta and Maureen Lane, Lenna DeMarco, and Linda Slye
Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 1 PM EST/12 PM CST
Inspired by the KMHA Book Club's inaugural read, Kentucky Quilts and Quiltmakers: Three Centuries of Creativity, Community, and Commerce by Linda Elisabeth LaPinta, this program is your introduction to the important and ongoing history of Kentucky's quilt culture. Join Linda LaPinta, Maureen Lane, Lenna DeMarco, and Linda Slye as they walk us through the essential history and the way these textiles are being preserved, interpreted, and shared today.
Many thanks to the University Press of Kentucky for its support of the KMHA Book Club. (As a reminder, members of KMHA receive a 30% discount on all UPK titles. Join KMHA now!)
This virtual program is free to KMHA members and $10 for non-members.
So You Wanna Stay Connected? Networking and Relationship Building in Current Cultural Spaces
with Dr. Jacqueline Hudson
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 1 PM EST/12 PM CST
This Learn@Lunch session, with Dr. Jacqueline Hudson, African American History Programs Manager at the Filson Historical Society, will explore new and innovative ways to develop and foster professional relationships in the arts and cultural field as a graduate student, an emerging professional, or someone who is transitioning into the industry. They include (but are not exclusive to): the art of informational interviews, the digital business card, and making introductions in professional spaces.
This virtual program is free to KMHA members and $10 for non-members.
Past Programs
On November 11, 2025 at 1 PM EST/12 PM CST, Zac Distel, member of the Kentucky Museum & Heritage Alliance (KMHA) board and manager of the organization's mentorship program, broke down the benefits of becoming a mentor or a mentee in an engaging Zoom information session. Hear about past success stories with the program, understand the responsibilities of joining as a mentor, and ask questions of what you can expect as a potential mentee. For more information on the KMHA mentorship program, visit our website.
Are you someone who pulls over to read a historical marker or drags your family across the street to check out a plaque or interpretive panel? Do you have an idea in mind for new commemorative signage in your community but don't know how to get started?
In this KMHA Learn@Lunch session, Dr. Jim Seaver from the Kentucky Historical Society will walk you through the many options that are available and outline the pros and cons of each approach. He'll explain the processes of obtaining state historical markers, collaborating with non-profit organizations and local governments to secure commemorative signage, and working privately with commercial vendors to design customized plaques and wayside interpretive panels. Each approach involves different logistical considerations, funding sources, opportunities, and challenges.
In this KMHA Learn@Lunch session, Maggie McAdams, Leah Craig, and Leah Hamilton offer information about advocating for our cultural sites and institutions in the current political landscape.