Kevin Keefe and Crystal Ramsey
Madison County Historical Society Records
1729-1993
Eastern Kentucky University ArchivesRichmond, Kentucky 40475-3102
This collection is open for research.
[Identification of item], Madison County Historical Society Records, 1729-1993, University Archives, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond.
8.55 cubic feet, 14,250 items, 17 boxes
The Madison County Historical Society (MCHS) is a group of people dedicated to the preservation of the many historical sites and buildings in Madison County, whether it is of an educational, religious, or social base. The MCHS has been instrumental in the placing of bronze historical markers around the county and the city of Richmond, which denote and explain the historical significance of the site.
The Madison County Historical Society was founded in 1891 by a court order of the Madison County Court in its April session of said year, for "the purpose of collecting and preserving in some suitable form the relics of the Pioneer Days," and the "erection of proper memorials to mark important historical events and places in such a manner as to perpetuate and preserve them." The Madison County Historical Society still lives by this tenet today.
The first meeting of the Madison County Historical Society, then known as the Madison Historical Society, was on May 21, 1891. John W. Caperton was appointed as the first president of the organization by the court order. Several prominent citizens of the time were also included in the charter, including Judge French Tipton, Major Curtis Field Burnman, the Honorable J.A. Sullivan, Dr. William Jennings, Dr. L.H. Blanton, Captain P.P. Ballard, Colonel Clifton R. Estill, and J.W. Bales, Esquire. These men served Madison County as the first preservers of county history.
In 1934, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the creation of Madison County, the Madison County Historical Society was formed to replace the inactive Madison Historical Society. Dr. Jonathan Truman Dorris, professor of history at Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College, was selected as chairman. A committee then drew up by-laws and Article of Incorporation for the newly named Madison County Historical Society.
In 1957 the MCHS reorganized, and in 1974 the Society became incorporated and acquired a 501 c (3) tax-exempt status as a non-profit corporation.
Beginning in the late 1960s, the Madison County Historical Society was reinvigorated under the dynamic leadership of Richmond lawyer James J. Shannon Jr. Since that time the Society has continued to sponsor a great variety of events and activities. In 1968, the Society began publishing the periodical Kentucky Pioneer, which contained articles on the Madison County area. The serial was published on a semi-quarterly basis until 1978, when it was discontinued. In 1971, the Society aided in the restoration of White Hall State Shrine, the birthplace and home of famous Kentuckian Cassius Marcellus Clay. In 1974, the Madison County Historical Society participated in the 200th anniversary of the establishment of Fort Boonesborough.
In 1977, Mount Pleasant, a historical residence, was donated to the Madison County Historical Society by Betsy Smith Toy Hall of Indianapolis, the owner and descendant of the original builder and owner, Solomon Smith. The house was restored and is now held by the Madison County Historical Society. This was a major victory in the preservation of historical sites, for Mount Pleasant, erected around the year 1840, served as a hospital for both sides during the 1862 Civil War Battle of Richmond. The Madison County Historical Society was also instrumental in the restoration of the Miller House, which at one time served as Madison County's jail.
Members of the Madison County Historical Society were also very active during the bicentennial celebration of the establishment of Madison County in 1986. Many members of the MCHS served on various committees overseeing the festivities. Also in 1986, the Madison County Historical Society published Madison County: 200 Years in Retrospect, by William Ellis, H.E. Everman, and Richard Sears. This 450-page book recounted Madison County's beginnings and traced its long history and progress to the 1980s.
MCHS members also played large roles in the downtown revitalization movement in Richmond, as well as in the placement of the time capsule in front of the Madison County Courthouse. In 1988 the Society published Madison County Rediscovered: Selected Historic Architecture by Lavinia Kubiak. Both the bicentennial county history and the county's architectural history volumes were very popular and are now out-of-print. In cooperation with the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation, the MCHS instituted the BGT Plaques program. The Society, with a grant from the Kentucky Heritage Council, helped sponsor an archaeological dig to locate the exact site of Fort Boonesborough. With a grant from Kentucky Educational Television and the Kentucky Humanities Council, the MCHS also assisted in the production of a video presentation on the life of women's rights leader Laura Clay, daughter of Cassius M. Clay. In 1989, the Madison County Historical Society began the publication of the newsletter Heritage Highlights, featuring articles on the region as well as on the histories of local families and genealogical notes.
The Madison County Historical Society celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 1991, and in 1995 began publishing Madison County Connections, a periodical based exclusively on genealogy articles, requests, and other genealogical information for those trying to track down their family's past. Today the Madison County Historical Society remains as active as ever, and continues its ambitious publications program with its 1996 publication of Berea College history professor Warren Lambert's book-length manuscript detailing the history of the Battle of Richmond.
| 1891 | Court order issued founding for the Madison Historical Society |
| 1934 | Reorganization and taking of the name Madison Co Historical Society: 150th anniversary of Madison County |
| 1957 | Reorganization, more solid by-laws written |
| 1968 | Publishing of Kentucky Pioneer (until 1978) |
| 1971 | Aid in restoring White Hall |
| 1974 | Incorporation of Madison County Historical Society |
| 1977 | Acquisition of Mount Pleasant/Hilltop Place from Betsy Toy Hall |
| 1986 | Publication of Madison County: 200 Years in Retrospect: Bicentennial of Madison County |
| 1989 | Publication of serial Heritage Highlights |
| 1991 | 100th anniversary of Madison County Historical Society |
| 1995 | Publication of serial Madison County Connections |
The Bicentennial Publications Series is a collection of the paperwork, advertising, pledges, and book orders for the MCHS publication Madison County: 200 Years in Retrospect, by Everman, Sears, and Ellis. The series consists of three archival boxes, with three subject headings. Book orders make up most of the material in this collection.
There is some undated material in this series, which is arranged by key words and placed at the back of each subject folder. The book orders are arranged alphabetically by state, then by name. Pledges are arranged by name. All dated materials are arranged in chronological order.
The Boonesborough series contains materials on the State Park, the archaeological dig, and many other subjects. The series consists of two archival boxes, with five subject headings. Also included is information on the famous pioneer Daniel Boone.
All dated materials are arranged in chronological order, and undated material is placed at the back of each subject.
The Madison County Bicentennial series follows the preparations for and the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the founding of Madison County in the year 1786. It contains mostly memos and notes from the various committees, as well as bills. The Madison County Bicentennial series consists of two archival boxes and twelve subject headings.
All dated materials are arranged in chronological order, and undated material is placed at the back of each subject.
This series is a collection of newspaper articles concerning the Madison County Historical Society, its members, or information on either the history of Madison County or relevant to the future history of Madison County, such as the articles on the proposed nerve gas incinerator at the Blue Grass Army Depot. The Newsclippings series consists of one archival box, and nine subject headings. The series covers the years 1965- 1993.
All dated material is arranged in chronological order, and undated materials are arranged by key word. All newspaper clippings are photocopied, and the photocopy is filed; the original is discarded.
The Photograph series contains all photographs found while arranging this collection.
The series consists mainly of photographs taken during the Madison County Bicentennial celebration and photos of the furnishings of White Hall State Shrine, presumably for insurance purposes. The Photograph Series consists of one archival box and seven subject headings.
All photographs are arranged by number. All dated photographs are arranged chronologically, while the others are described in the inventory below. All photographs are retained during collation; as a result, there may be multiple copies.
The subject series is a repository for myriad subject matters of the Madison County Historical Society. There are eight boxes in the series, with twenty-nine subject headings. There is a sizeable correspondence section, most of which is between MCHS president James Shannon, Jr. and others. There is a large miscellaneous section as well, containing those subjects that do not have their own folder.
In this series there is a great deal of undated material, which is located in the rear of each folder. All dated materials are arranged chronologically, while undated materials are arranged alphabetically by key words.