KMHA is proud to introduce a new, 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
Cultural Advocacy in Kentucky
with Maggie McAdams and Leah Hamilton
Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 1 PM EST/12 PM CST
Telling Your Story with Commemorative Signage
with Dr. Jim Seaver
Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 1 PM EST/12 PM CST
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. We anticipate a hearty Q&A at the end of the session, so please bring your topic ideas and questions to this virtual event!
Disaster Response with KHERN (Kentucky Heritage Emergency Response Network)
with Leah Hamilton and members of the KHERN Board of Directors
Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 1 PM EST/12 PM CST
So, You Want to Stay Connected? Networking and Relationship Building in Current Cultural Spaces
with Jacqueline Hudson, PhD
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 1 PM EST/12 PM CST
This Learn@Lunch session 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 not exclusively) the art of informational interviews, the digital business card, and making introductions in professional spaces.
Preserving the Appalachian Archives at Hindman Settlement School
with Sarah Insalaco and Melissa Helton
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 1 PM EST/12 PM CST
KMHA Book Club presents "Kentucky Y'all: A Celebration of the People and Culture of the Bluegrass State"
with authors Blair Thomas Hess and Cameron M. Ludwick
Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 1 PM EST/12 PM CST
In the second installment of the 2026 KMHA Book Club, join authors Blair Thomas Hess and Cameron M. Ludwick to hear about their entertaining and informative compilation of the stat's favorite oddities, cultural quirks, traditions, and rites of passage. The authors will share the best stories from their experiences as writers, travelers, and residents in this ode to the commonwealth.
Outreach Programs at the National Quilt Museum
with Bonnie Schrock
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 1 PM EST/12 PM CST
KMHA Book Club presents "The Modern Mountain Cookbook: A Plant-Based Celebration of Appalachia"
with author Jan Brandenburg
Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 1 PM EST/12 PM CST
In the third installment of the 2026 KMHA Book Club, join author Jan Brandenburg as she discusses her book, The Modern Mountain Cookbook: A Plant-Based Celebration of Appalachia, a collection of stories and recipes with Appalachian roots. Learn about plant-based versions of the foods Jan grew up eating, and encounter slices of life from the people who shared her table over the years. The recipes are familiar foods, simple to prepare and will fill the void for those who miss their traditional foods after a lifestyle change or help accommodate dietary or health restrictions for the ones we love. The Modern Mountain Cookbook is a joyful celebration of living a vegan lifestyle in Appalachia and beyond.
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.