Tales From The Kentucky Room

Lexington Public Library
  • 4.7 (32)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED MONTHLY
Tales From The Kentucky Room

Stories of Lexington, Kentucky’s history and people.

  1. 250Lex: “Queer, Here, & Everywhere” Exhibit, an interview with Josh Porter (2025)

    JUN 18

    250Lex: “Queer, Here, & Everywhere” Exhibit, an interview with Josh Porter (2025)

    David sits down with Josh Porter, Assistant Executive Director of Lexington’s Faulkner Morgan Archive to discuss the exhibit “Queer, Here, & Everywhere” displayed at the Central Library until June 26, 2025. They discuss the research that went into the exhibit and future plans to add panels to the exhibit. The exhibit will be at the Lexington Pride Festival on Saturday June 28, and then will move to the Lexington History Museum in August 2025. Josh Porter is an art historian and curator based in Lexington, Kentucky. In 2023, Josh received his MFA in Curatorial Studies from the University of Kentucky. Born in Eastern Kentucky, Josh brings a unique perspective to the archive in viewing Kentucky’s LGBTQ history through the lens of art, particularly photography. His writing, design, and photography has appeared in Oxford American, Brooklyn Rail, Art In America, Queer Kentucky, UnderMain, and elsewhere. Queer, Here, & Everywhere: The Roots of Kentucky’s LGBTQ History is the first comprehensive exhibition of Lexington’s LGBTQ history, showcasing the importance of the queer community in this city. Highlighting key moments and figures in Lexington's LGBTQ history, from Sweet Evening Breeze's drag performances in the 1920s to the passage of the Fairness Ordinance in 1999, this exhibit will celebrate the resilience and contributions of the queer community. By shedding light on these often overlooked narratives, we hope to foster a greater sense of belonging for LGBTQ individuals in Lexington while also promoting understanding and appreciation among the broader population.

    13 min
  2. 250Lex: Early Lexington Cemeteries with Zach Davis (2025)

    MAY 22

    250Lex: Early Lexington Cemeteries with Zach Davis (2025)

    It’s Tales from the Kentucky Room’s 100th Episode!  Celebrate with us as David speaks with local realtor and historian Zach Davis about early cemeteries in Lexington, Kentucky. They talk about pioneer graveyards, the Maxwell burying ground, Cove Haven Cemetery, Forest Hill Cemetery, First Hill cemetery and many others. They also discuss the fascination with cemeteries as destinations and as the precursors to city parks.

    20 min
  3. Lafayette in Lexington, a conversation with Dale Henley (2025)

    APR 24

    Lafayette in Lexington, a conversation with Dale Henley (2025)

    Retired attorney, former President of the Lafayette chapter of the Sons of the Revolution, and all around General Lafayette expert Dale Henley sits down with David to talk about the Marquis de Lafayette and his visit to Lexington in 1825. They talk about Lafayette’s background, from joining the Musketeers at the age of thirteen to defying the French King and sailing to the American colonies to advance the cause of liberty at just nineteen years old. Dale shares book recommendations for learning more about Lafayette’s role in the Revolutionary War, his abolitionist views, and his 1825 visit on the invitation of President Monroe. He also tells us about the events in Lexington in May 2025 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s visit. The opening music for this episode is the “Brandywine Quickstep” named for Brandywine, Pennsylvania where Lafayette took part in his first battle of the revolution and was subsequently wounded. The recording is by the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and is in the public domain.

    31 min

  4. MAR 25

    Bluegrass Sons: An Interview with Erin Chandler (2025)

    David sits down with Erin Chandler over video call to discuss her new true crime memoir, Bluegrass Sons. They discuss her childhood in Las Vegas, her relationship with her uncle Bradley Bryant, and her reasons for writing the book. Erin also reads an excerpt from her book. Bluegrass Sons is available for checkout from the library and for purchase from Erin's website. Bluegrass Sons is a true crime family saga set between Lexington, Kentucky, and the desert days and gaudy nights of 1970s Las Vegas, Nevada, with a little El Paso, Guatemala, and Savannah thrown in. The story is about Bradley Bryant, a United States Marine who lived a double life. The FBI labeled him "a one-man crime wave" responsible for the largest gun-running, drug-smuggling network in the United States. His family considered him their rock, his mother's favorite, and a successful Philadelphia businessman. For the first time in forty years, Brad Bryant tells his truth, recording hours of conversations with his niece, Erin Chandler. Bluegrass Sons includes historical testimonies from those who were along for that ride, giving exclusive interviews to Erin Chandler for this book. It's a tale of drugs, arms, assassinations, and espionage where your lies are your life even if you are one of the good guys.

    31 min
  5. Kentucky on Ice (2025)

    FEB 25

    Kentucky on Ice (2025)

    David and Wayne discuss their memories of the winter storm that brought Kentucky to a standstill on January 17, 1994. They talk about the city and state’s response, the extremely low temperatures, and how that storm compares to the storms from January and February 2025.

    24 min
  6. 250Lex: Top Ten Events in Lexington, Kentucky's History (2025)

    JAN 30

    250Lex: Top Ten Events in Lexington, Kentucky's History (2025)

    David sits down with Wayne to discuss Wayne’s top ten list of historical events in Lexington. This year, 2025, is Lexington, Kentucky’s 250th anniversary, and there are many events around the city to celebrate. As part of the celebrations, Wayne put together lists of the 250 most important events and people, and he’s selected ten to discuss with us today. Wayne's list of ten influential people will be featured in a later episode.

    41 min
  7. A City Physician's Scandal (2024)

    12/31/2024

    A City Physician's Scandal (2024)

    On this episode, Jamie West tells us about a scandal in 1882 with the Lexington City Physician. J.C. Harpham, as city physician, was required to attend the patients living in the smallpox hospital on the outskirts of town. It quickly came out that he was, in fact, only pretending to go visit the patients. He was replaced immediately, and he and his family left Lexington under a cloud of scandal. The research for this episode was done by Sarah Hubbard, Kentucky Room Manager.

    6 min
  8. Quilting Kentucky's Stories - Sissy Bug by Freda Meriwether

    12/17/2024 · BONUS

    Quilting Kentucky's Stories - Sissy Bug by Freda Meriwether

    Freda Meriwether joins us for a remembrance of her father and his struggle with alcoholism.  Freda Meriwether loves God, her husband, her children and grandchildren and spending time with them either at their sport events or family get togethers. She looks forward to traveling to Maysville once a week to care for her elderly mother. Enjoying life is the highlight of her day. Theme song "Appalachian Lofi" composed and performed by Bryan Klausing and Christine Cole.

    7 min
See All (114)

4.7
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

Stories of Lexington, Kentucky’s history and people.

Information

  • Creator
    Lexington Public Library
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    114
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 1999-2018 Lexington Public Library. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Tales From The Kentucky Room

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