The Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History is bringing Abraham Lincoln to the Capitol grounds this year in celebration of the Governor’s Derby Breakfast, set for 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Capitol.
Visitors to the Capitol grounds will have an opportunity to tour the Kentucky Historical Society’s (KHS) new HistoryMobile exhibit, “Kentucky’s Abraham Lincoln.” This popular exhibit explores Lincoln’s frontier childhood, his career from log house to the White House, and his struggles to end slavery and lead the nation through the Civil War.
Children’s activities include Derby hat-making and hobbyhorse races on the east lawn behind the Capitol building, just across the street from the Derby breakfast tent. These activities will be open from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., and children who participate will receive free admission to the historical society, located at 100 West Broadway in downtown Frankfort. A Derby hat contest will also be held at 10:30 a.m. in conjunction with the Frankfort/Franklin County Tourist Commission.
After touring the HistoryMobile or fashioning a Derby hat, be sure to register to win a free copy of KET’s Kentucky Life special titled “Lincoln: I, too, am a Kentuckian,” as well as official Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commemoration merchandise.
KHS will be selling Lincoln Bicentennial merchandise, including t-shirts, hats, and lapel pins, both at the Derby breakfast and at KHS’s 1792 Store. Official Derby posters will also be sold on the Capitol grounds and at the KHS store, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 3. Derby posters are also available online at http://store.kentucky.gov/kyhs/Default.asp. The 2008 commemorative posters feature Kentucky-bred Citation. The tribute marks the 60th anniversary of his victory in the Kentucky Derby and ultimately the Triple Crown in 1948.
The Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Free family activities are offered from 1 to 4 p.m., including a History Zone activity called “Horsing Around,” in which children can learn about famous racehorses and explore different horse breeds. The museum theatre production of Look for my Picture: Raising the Flag with Franklin Sousley, will be offered at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. at KHS on May 3. Visitors can also tour the Old State Capitol. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children ages 6-18. Admission will be free on Derby day for children who participated in activities on the Capitol lawn.