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The Lexington Public Library’s Digital Archives provide open access to researchers and students to learn more about the rich history of Lexington and Fayette County. It contains a fraction of the Library’s physical holdings, which are housed and available for reference in the Kentucky Room at the Central Library. New material is being digitized and added constantly, so there's always something new to find.
The archives have a simple keyword search, and it is possible to browse the collections by subject, area, or decade. The Lexington Public Library actively reviews and labels materials in our archives with statements that indicate how you may reuse the images, and what sort of permission, if any, you need to do so. Please check the information for each image to determine its legal status.
The Lexington Public Library has made an effort to ensure that all of our digital collections are public domain, or that we have gotten approval from the copyright holders to display their work. Most - but not all - of these collections, to the best of our knowledge, have no known US copyright restrictions. Some items in the collection are under copyright but qualify for online display by libraries under Section 108(h) of United States Copyright Law. Some of the collections provided in the Library's Digital Archives are made available under an assertion of fair use, which does not necessarily apply to an individual's use of them.
The materials in these collections are physically housed in the Kentucky Room at the Central Library and can be viewed during the Central Library's open hours.
For more information about a specific item, including any copyright restrictions on that item, please click on the information button:
The collection contains non-Fayette County school yearbooks and images, dating from 1878-1968.
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Discover unique resources in our Digital Archives that tell the story of Fayette County. Visit cemeteries throughout Central Kentucky using our cemetery maps. Contact our resident experts in the Central Library's Kentucky Room with questions.
The Kentucky History collection contains Kentucky-related documents not specifically related to Fayette County.
Lexington's school system dates back to the city charter of 1831, and it first school opened in 1834. From a single building in 1834 with about 100 students, today the Fayette County Public School system has over 40,000 students and 68 schools and programs. Lexington and Fayette County combined districts in 1968, shortly before the city/county government merger in 1974.
Learn more about Fayette County and our rich history with the Kentucky Room's Digital Archives. Search photo collections, historical newspapers and publications, and community collections with a simple search. New material is continually being scanned and added.
The Digital Studio provides people of all skill levels the tools for filmmaking, photography and digital art, music making, and media preservation.
Mariam interviews Foster Ockerman, Jr., author of Hidden History of Horse Racing in Kentucky, and President and Chief Historian of the Lexington History Museum about his book and horse racing in Kentucky.
Mariam gives a brief history of the public schools in Lexington and Fayette County.
The Kentucky Images collection contains postcards, photographs and slides of people, architecture, and locations in Kentucky and Appalachia.
Mariam interviews Kentucky native Kevin Lane Dearinger about his forthcoming memoir, Bad Sex in Kentucky, his Broadway career, and his second career in education.
Mariam interviews Shea Simanek Magnuson about the history of women’s suffrage in Kentucky.
Mariam shares the history of Kentucky’s Separate Coach Law, and Lexington’s second African American attorney, J. Alexander Chiles, who took the fight to the US Supreme court multiple times in the 1890s and early 1900s.
Stories of Lexington's history told through the Kentucky Room archives.
Mariam interviews Fred Mills about the history of the Kentucky Theatre and his 50 year tenure as the theatre’s manager.
Mariam interviews Reinette Jones, founder of the Notable Kentucky African Americans database. They discuss Kentucky’s Centenarian Librarians, the boxer David Moore, and the prison shoe-making industry. Visit the NKAA at http://nkaa.uky.edu/nkaa/
Mariam and Wayne discuss the Code Duello and several nineteenth century Kentucky duels, including duels fought by Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, and a pair of doctors from Transylvania University’s School of Medicine.
Mariam and David discuss Charles Dickens’ visit to Kentucky in 1842, with readings by Bill Widener from Dickens’ work “American Notes.”
Mariam and Erin discuss and play clips of a few of their favorite moments from Tales from the Kentucky Room. This episode was recorded online from their homes.
Mariam and Wayne discuss the rich history of baseball in Kentucky.
Enjoy this discussion of Lexington born Major League Baseball players that was cut from the KY Baseball episode.
Jennifer and Erin review recipes from four Kentucky Cookbooks: Southern Girl Meets Vegetarian Boy by Damaris Phillips (Pimiento Cheese Baked Rice), Bluegrass Gatherings: Entertaining through Kentucky's Seasons by Junior League of Louisville (Beer Cheese),
The Central Kentucky Cemeteries Maps are powered by Google Maps. Counties include: Fayette, Bourbon, Clark, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Nicholas, Powell, Scott, and Woodford.
An eligible parent or legal guardian can complete this form to apply for a digital library card for a juvenile.
Eligible applicants can complete this form to apply for a digital library card.
The Publications Collection contains runs of historical Kentucky newspapers, almanacs, and magazines.
The Kentucky Military Institute was a military preparatory boarding school from 1845 to 1971, chartered by the state legislature in 1847. It had several homes, with the longest in Lyndon, Kentucky, outside of Louisville. There was also a winter campus for many years in Eau Gallie, Florida, and later in Venice, Florida.
The Cadet Adjutant was the school magazine written by the cadets at KMI. It varied as a bimonthly, then quarterly publication, and contained considerable information about events and alumni, as well as photos and cartoons. The issues in the digital archive were donated to the Lexington Public Library by the Louisiana State University Libraries Special Collections.
The Kentucky School for the Deaf, located in Danville, was created in 1822. The first class of students were admitted beginning in April 1823. Through a partnership with Centre College, the school's board identified John Adamson Jacobs as a potential instructor for the school and sent him to train at the first school for deaf students in the US, the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut. He served as instructor, principal, and superintendent for KSD during the years from 1825-1869. Jacobs Hall was built in 1857 and was named for him. It is classified as a National Historic Landmark and is still in operation as the school's museum today. From the beginning, KSD was committed to educating students academically while teaching life skills and providing vocational training. Deaf African American students began attending in 1885.
The Centennial History provides a detailed account of the formation of the school and its facilities, as well as its evolution through the first 100 years. Financial structure of the school, methods of instruction, and the creation of the school newspaper and literary society are all discussed. The book also contains lists of the names of all donors, trustees, commissioners, and students. Officers of the school, which include superintendents, principals, teachers, and staff have a short biographical summaries accompanying their names.
The Kentucky Rally Songs pamphlet contains 42 songs compiled and printed by the state chapter of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, to be used at the many gatherings and rallies that they organized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The songs, sung to popular tunes of the day, dealt with prohibition and women’s suffrage.
The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was an organization founded in 1873 to promote social reform along with Christian moral principles, and the Kentucky chapter was extremely active. In addition to politically supporting sympathetic political candidates, the WCTU also held many social events to advocate for alcohol and tobacco abstinence, with a focus on overall moral reform.
Information from the Kentucky Historical Society.
Content from over 80 Kentucky newspapers and news sources, including the Lexington Herald-Leader.
While the focus of content in the digital archive is Fayette County, many other counties are represented. This list is in alphabetical order by county name for non-Fayette County content.
Anderson County
- History of the Lawrenceburg Fair by Lydia Kennedy Bond, 1956
Bath County
- Bath County Memorial Library Albert Young WWII letter Collection, 1944-45
- Bath County Memorial Library Diary Collection of Etta Evans Gilmore, 1944-1955
Boone County
- Florence Baptist Church Dedication Service, October 9, 1967
Bourbon County
- Millersburg Female College Announcement, 1895-96
- Hopewell (Paris) Historical Scrapbook, 150th Anniversary, Sept 1939
- History of the Church of the Annunciation of Paris, Kentucky by Mary T. Kelly, 1958
- Millersburg Military Institute playbill for Inherit the Wind, 6 May 1960
- Paris Historical Scrapbook, 175th Anniversary, 13 May 1961
Boyd County
- The Hi-Life Gazette, Ashland High School, 5 March 1954
Boyle County
- Catalogue, Danville Classical and Military Academy, 1877-78
- The Danville Literary and Social Club (The Anaconda), 1839-1889 by Ormond Beatty
- Fourth Reunion, Kentucky Association of the Deaf, 3-5 September 1907
- A Centennial History of the Kentucky School for the Deaf, Danville, Kentucky, 1823-1923 by Charles Fosdick
Breathitt County
- Stories of Kentucky Feuds: the Terror of Suspense by Harold Wilson Coates, 1924
Bullitt County
- United Stares Army Armor School, Fort Knox, 1959-72
Caldwell County
Calloway County
- History of Calloway County, Kentucky by E. A. Johnson, 1931
Christian County
- The Scroll: Bethel Woman's College Yearbook, 1929
Clark County
- Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates, 1906
- The Beacon: Kentucky Bible College (later Southeastern Christian College), 1955
- The Beacon: Kentucky Bible College, Winchester, Kentucky, 1960
- Southern Bell Telephone Directory for Richmond, Ky., Ford, Kirksville, Waco, Including Listings of Berea, Paint Lick, May 1966
- Kentucky Telephone Company Directory for Lancaster, Berea, Bryantsville, Paint Lick, Including Listings of Ford, Kirksville, Richmond, and Waco, Kentucky, June 1966
Clay County
- Stories of Kentucky Feuds: the Great Truce of Clay by Harold Wilson Coates, 1923
- Telephone Directory; Barbourville, Brodhead, East Bernstadt, Eubank, Faubush, Flat Lick, Livingston, London, Manchester, Mt. Vernon, Oneida, Science Hill, Shopville, White Lily, Kentucky, 1974
Floyd County
- The Pre-1800 Kentucky Tax Lists for the Counties of Fayette - 1788; Mason (later Floyd) - 1790; Mercer - 1789; Washington - 1792, compiled by Levi Todd, 1790
Franklin County
- The Fourth Annual Report of the Kentucky Colonization Society, with an Address (Delivered at the Request of the Society,) by Rev. John C. Young, 1833
- Historic Frankfort Kentucky pamphlet by Nell Whaley and Bayless Hardin, 1947
- Good Shepherd Catholic School senior class play "No Homework," 1961
- Souvenir Program, March on Frankfort, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 5 March 1964
Garrard County
- Lancaster High School Graduation Program, 1952
- Southern Bell Telephone Directory for Richmond, Ky., Ford, Kirksville, Waco, Including Listings of Berea, Paint Lick, May 1966
- Kentucky Telephone Company Directory for Lancaster, Berea, Bryantsville, Paint Lick, Including Listings of Ford, Kirksville, Richmond, and Waco, Kentucky, June 1966
Graves County
- The Mayfield Bar, by R. G. Robbins, 1911
Grayson County
- Dock Brown: the Outlaw of Grayson County by Colonel William R. Haynes, 1876
Hardin County
- United Stares Army Armor School, Fort Knox, 1959-72
Harlan County
- Harlan County, Kentucky by Elmon Middleton, 1934
- The Pine Mountain Story, 1913-1980 by Mary Rogers and the Pine Mountain Settlement School, 1980
Hopkins County
Jackson County
- Telephone Directory; McKee, Annville, Booneville, Sand Gap Ky, 1960
- Directory; McKee, Annville, Sand Gap, Booneville, 1964
- Telephone Directory; McKee, Annville, Sand Gap, Booneville, 1976
Jefferson County
- The Cadet Adjustant magazine of the Kentucky Military Institute, 1909-1918
- Photograph of Rev. James Cronin, Diocese of Louisville, circa 1920
- Charter, By-Laws and Amendments of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Widows' and Orphans' Home in the State of Kentucky, 1938
- My Memoirs of Army Nurse Corps World War II, 1943-1945 by Martha Ueltschi Penn, 1946
- Poems of Consolation: Book II by Geneva Maxey Cooper Tilford, 1947
- The Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star in Kentucky Golden Key Session 1948
- Zion Baptist Church, 1878-1953, 75th Anniversary, August 1953
- duPont Manual High School 1967 10-year reunion, class of 1957
- A New Look for Kentucky Breathitt for Governor newspaper, February 1963
- Sallie Phillips Durrett High School 1967–1968 composite class photograph
- The Louisville Community presents a Memorial Service Honoring the Late Whitney M. Young, Jr., 10 March 1974
- Handbills for Mr. Gay Kentucky, January 1983 and March 1983
Jessamine County
- Assortment of Elmer L. Foote lantern slides, including Court Day and the construction of High Bridge, circa 1900s
- Bluegrass Houses and Their Traditions by Elizabeth M. Simpson, 1932
- Union Lodge No. 10, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Nicholasville, Kentucky, by Robert M. Suell, 1970
Johnson County
- Kentucky Mountain Club (Membership includes the following counties: Adair, Bath, Bell, Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Casey, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Elliott, Estill, Fayette, Fleming, Floyd, Greenup, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, McCreary, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Monroe, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Wayne, Whitley, and Wolfe)
Knox County
- Telephone Directory; Barbourville, Brodhead, East Bernstadt, Eubank, Faubush, Flat Lick, Livingston, London, Manchester, Mt. Vernon, Oneida, Science Hill, Shopville, White Lily, Kentucky, 1974
Laurel County
- The Birth of a Church: 1st Presbyterian Church, London, Ky., 1959
- Telephone Directory; Barbourville, Brodhead, East Bernstadt, Eubank, Faubush, Flat Lick, Livingston, London, Manchester, Mt. Vernon, Oneida, Science Hill, Shopville, White Lily, Kentucky, 1974
Leslie County
Livingston County
- Lucy Jefferson Lewis, Sister of President Thomas Jefferson, Virginia 1752 - Kentucky 1811 by Martha Grassham Purcell
Madison County
- Mountain Ballads for Social Singing, by James Watt Rayne, Berea College, 1923
- Life at Eastern: Eastern Kentucky Review, Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College, May 1944
- Program Celebrating the Opening of the New Free Bridge at Clay’s Ferry, Cleveland, 17 August 1946
- Southern Bell Telephone Directory for Richmond, Ky., Ford, Kirksville, Waco, Including Listings of Berea, Paint Lick, May 1966
- Kentucky Telephone Company Directory for Lancaster, Berea, Bryantsville, Paint Lick, Including Listings of Ford, Kirksville, Richmond, and Waco, Kentucky, June 1966
- First Baptist Church Directory, Richmond, 1975
Mason County
- The Pre-1800 Kentucky Tax Lists for the Counties of Fayette - 1788; Mason (later Floyd) - 1790; Mercer - 1789; Washington - 1792, compiled by Levi Todd, 1789
- Centennial of St. Patrick’s Parish, Maysville, 1847-1947
Meade County
- United Stares Army Armor School, Fort Knox, 1959-72
Mercer County
- The Pre-1800 Kentucky Tax Lists for the Counties of Fayette - 1788; Mason (later Floyd) - 1790; Mercer - 1789; Washington - 1792, compiled by Levi Todd, 1789
- Education in Harrodsburg and Neighborhood Since 1775 by Martha Stephenson, 1910
- Shakertown by Dorothy Embry Cross, 1921
- Old Roads in Kentucky by Cecil Brown, 1929
- Old Shakertown and the Shakers by Daniel Mac-Hir Hutton, 1936
- The History of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Harrodsburg by Neva L. Williams, April 1948
- Old Taverns by Grace Stephenson Linney Hutton, 1957
Muhlenberg County
- Gibraltar Coal Mining Company Scrip, Brownie, Ky., undated
- The Oriole: Central City High School Yearbook, 1927
Nelson County
- A Chapter of Trappist History in Kentucky by Young E. Allison, 1926
- The Barton Museum of Whiskey History Brochure, 1961
Owsley County
- Telephone Directory; McKee, Annville, Booneville, Sand Gap Ky, 1960
- Directory; McKee, Annville, Sand Gap, Booneville, 1964
Pulaski County
- Telephone Directory; Barbourville, Brodhead, East Bernstadt, Eubank, Faubush, Flat Lick, Livingston, London, Manchester, Mt. Vernon, Oneida, Science Hill, Shopville, White Lily, Kentucky, 1974
Robertson County
- Echoes from the Century, Robertson County 1867-1967 by T. Ross Moore
Rockcastle County
- Telephone Directory; Barbourville, Brodhead, East Bernstadt, Eubank, Faubush, Flat Lick, Livingston, London, Manchester, Mt. Vernon, Oneida, Science Hill, Shopville, White Lily, Kentucky, 1974
Scott County
- The Co-Ed: Georgetown College, 1901
- Historical Pageant of Scott County, Kentucky 1774-1924, 31 May 1924
- Directory and History: Georgetown Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1932-1933
- Georgetown Grows: Georgetown College, 1960
- Stamping Ground’s 180th Birthday Celebration, 15-17 October 1970
Shelby County
- Science Hill School College Preparatory School for Girls, Shelbyville, 1930-1931
- Science Hill School College Preparatory School for Girls, Shelbyville, 1937-1938
- History, Old Masons’ Home of Kentucky, Incorporated, 2nd Edition, by Alpheus E. Orton and Charles A. Keith, 1960
- Dedication Whitney M. Young, Jr., Residential Manpower Center program, 16 June 1972
Warren County
Washington County
- The Pre-1800 Kentucky Tax Lists for the Counties of Fayette - 1788; Mason (later Floyd) - 1790; Mercer - 1789; Washington - 1792, compiled by Levi Todd, 1792
Wolfe County
- Wolfe County Centennial Celebration 1860-1960, 2 Sept 1960
Woodford County
- Kentucky Female Orphan School: A History by Harry Giovannoli, 1930
- St. Leo’s Parish, Versailles 1924-1965
- Woodford County Farm Directory, circa 1971
- A History of Troy Presbyterian Church, 1875-1975 by J. R. Wilson, Jr.
- St. Leo Catholic Church Directory, Versailles, 1979
