The building containing the museum is the State Arsenal, which celebrates its 175th anniversary this year. It’s a brick fortress overlooking the Kentucky river and the state’s Capitol - a strategically valuable position which led to its capture by Confederate forces in 1862 and subsequent recapture by the Union two months later.
Now, the guns lining the walls are displayed in cases alongside uniforms, letters, and personal possessions of soldiers. This building has served as the Kentucky Military History Museum since 1974.
"When we accept an artifact, when we bring something into our collection, when we agree that we want to be the steward or the caretaker of your story," said Executive Director of the Kentucky Historical Society Scott Alvey. "We are going to do everything we can to make sure that it is in a proper state, proper presentation, and it's going to last forever.”
Alvey says to ensure that degree of preservation, the building must be able to maintain appropriate conditions. That’s why, over the past year, the Kentucky Military History Museum has closed its doors as it undergoes a renovation. The project includes the addition of a new HVAC system and an auxiliary building to house it.
“I know a lot of times when you see us doing stewardship things, it's always about, 'Hey, no flash photography,' or 'Don't touch this,' right?" said Alvey. "But that's all designed as a way for us to make sure that we're being the best stewards we can of the objects that we care for.”
The museum houses the exhibits Kentucky Military Treasures and George M. Chinn: Sights Set on Innovation.
"Even when you're looking at the weapons, we tried really hard in the interpretation of the story to focus in on the people who use them.”
The Kentucky Military History Museum is open for self-guided tours from 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Saturday. Tickets must be purchased online or at the Kentucky History Museum a short walk down the hill, where the exhibit Our Stories Our Service: Kentucky's Women Veterans remains on display until the end of November.
