thomas d. clark center for kentucky history

My kids absolutely love the history center. They offer "camp artyfact" on school breaks where the kids get to see and learn and apply that to their art. We love accompanying them to the museum and enjoy all of the exhibits. Most recently, we made our annual candlelight tour trip there, where they always have fun activities for the kids. It's also always a stop of ours at the annual Derby Day breakfast and festival. Highly recommend. Call first or look up hours before going. Winter hours are reduced.

I think this is a very good museum. Lots of interesting exhibits to keep you entertained and curious for a few hours. My son especially likes the coal mine exhibit. I think the Ky celebrity exhibit at the end could be updated. The building is beautiful with a great store. Upstairs is a huge genealogy library. A great collection!

This is a "must see" if you are a history museum buff, and a really wonderfully constructed way to experience Kentucky History for families and friends. The first section will instantly delight youngsters with sounds and movements that form a perfect prelude to the interactive style of the self-guided tour. Going from one exhibit to another over the long history and pre-history of Kentucky, the exhibits themselves were so much fun that we often forgot the education we were receiving and simply became immersed in the experience.This is one of the best values in Frankfort, and absolutely worth a trip to see.

Self-guided historical tour of Kentucky's History. Military, Actors, Singers, Athletes, Civil War, Prehistoric. A myriad of information to absorb.

Spent a couple of days here on genealogy research. Great library and very helpful staff. Works well in combination with the state archives.

We were looking forward to visiting this museum but did not realize it is closed on Sun, Mon, & Tue. Seems like during the summer it would not be closed 3 days a week!

Frankfort is a great little town full of the history of Kentucky. Along with seeing the exhibits at the museum, you get a guided tour of the Old State Capital, and can visit the Military History Museum. Our tour guide was great and told lots of funny historical facts. Be sure to allow time to walk around downtown. There are lots of neat little shops and the architecture is really interesting.

From the time you enter the museum, you are a part of the timeline you are following. From the ancient peoples who first can here to the modern times of today. They have done a great job making the exhibits interesting and interactive. It encompasses both the physical aspects of life as well as exploring the world around us at the times. There are even interactive things to get kids involved with the displays and things they can touch and do, which is a must in order to hold their attention. I really found the farming and war time exhibits very interesting. Good value for a small fee, and a nice way to stay cool on a hot summer day.

The Clark Center for Kentucky History provides three admissions for one reasonable price. At the Clark Center we enjoyed the history museum. A large map of Kentucky on the floor of the center space is the meeting place for taking a tour of the old state capitol building a block and a half away (check with the front desk for tours). Three or four blocks up the hill on Main Street (drive or walk) is the Military History museum -- a smaller but nice museum.

Yes it is true that they are a seasonal operation. However; if you have a group and call ahead, they will open their doors for you. We recently made a trip with our local Boy Scout troop and it was no problem.I recently read a biography on Daniel Boone and couldn't wait to see this museum. Without DB, there would be no Kentucky! The museum didn't disappoint with several items that allegedly belonged to DB. They even have a cast of his skull (a little weird).The center takes you from ancient times to modern times with everything in between. The exhibits are very well done and items are displayed where everyone can view them. Make sure to at least give everything a quick look. There are a few hidden gems that you don't want to miss. And yes, the toll booth works just like it always did.The hall of Governor's is kinda fascinating as well.If history is your thaaang, then the center is for you! If Kentucky history is your thaaang, then this is really for you!

Nice little museum and research library. I have done some genealogy research here. Helpful staff. However, they are closed except for large groups with reservations Dec-Mar. Given that I visit family in Frankfort around New Year's, the closing of this and the capital, as well as the military museum really cuts down on local activities.

First, as one reviewer put it, call ahead---- especially during the winter months when it may have limited hours or closed all together. The walk through displays are very interesting and have some interactive exhibits and animatronics in most. The displays don't too badly gloss over the darker times in Kentucky history such as slavery and the civil war. There is a small cost for the walk-through which also covers admission to the Kentucky Military Museum and the Old State Capital (check on hours for them as well). During the spring, expect to see throngs of school children during the week.Besides the walk through exhibits, there is also a changing exhibit area which was empty when we visited. The Thomas D. Clark library is upstairs where you can find a repository of extremely valuable Kentucky History. Security here is very high. The Hall of Governors features the portraits of all the past governors plus some artifacts and highlights of each administration. there is also a small garden behind the center with native plants and trees which is a nice get away and place for a sack lunch if it's open. All in all, this kept a 16 year old intersted for a couple of hours; and this one has the attention span of a gnat! :)

You start with a prehistoric ancestor's hut and go through time with some animation. You an even hear and see President Abraham Lincoln's watch he was wearing the night he was shot. This watch was wound (with fear it would not work or break it), and the sound of its ticking was used in Stephen Speilberg's Lincoln movie out this past spring.

Very reasonably priced while providing a good outline of Kentucky's history from Native Americans, frontier days, slavery, war on to the present era. They were unafraid to discuss throny topics such as discrimination which I liked.

The history center is an enjoyable and educational tour for the entire family. The permanent exhibit is interactive and accessible to children of all ages and interesting for adults as well. There is also a changing exhibit. The Old Capitol and Arsenal are part of this tour also and not to be missed, especially the Old Capitol.While on Broadway, also visit Broadway Clay, Capital Cellars for refreshment with a wide selection of wines and excellent soups and sandwiches, the Coffee Tree Cafe has the best coffee and smoothies in town, Completely Kentucky is a museum of art, and on up the street is the Irish Sea selling Celtic jewelry, music, clothing, and an amazing variety of hand blended teas.A few blocks away are the Orlando Brown house and Liberty Hall.Top off the day with a yummy cupcake from the shop across the street from the museum, and you will have enjoyed a delightful day in downtown Frankfort