Lexington, KY - Most folks I know don't have the ability to journey back in time. But we can visit a museum to allow our imagination to travel to an older period. I enjoy looking at objects from the past and reading historical accounts. The Jeffersontown Historical Museum in the Louisville area offers plenty of fascinating exhibits and information from which to enjoy learning about Jeffersontown history.
The original "museum" existed as a collection of artifacts sitting in the open hallway in the Jeffersontown City Hall. After some objects disappeared, the remaining items were stored in the city hall basement awaiting a better home. In 1997 the new Jeffersontown Public Library opened, allowing space in the back for Jeffersontown's first bona fide museum.
The first director, David Olshansky, created the first exhibits with few funds and many volunteers. The second full-time director, Bill Cummings, utilized an improved budget to add archival materials and museum-worthy artifacts. Local resident Petra Williams donated her large doll collection. It is interesting to note that she is reported to be the person who first thought of creating the Jeffersontown Gaslight Festival.
Current museum director Beth Wilder came on board in 2004. She and assistant curator Ester Harlow are friendly and very knowledgeable. They gave me a tour and talked about the background of the exhibits and acquisitions.
Beth noted: "A little more than half of our objects are on display. We have historic photographs, textiles, rare books, costumes, decorative art objects, manuscripts and many other items."
During my visit, I watched a Jeffersontown matron bring in an item to donate from her own family history. I heard that the flow of giving works both ways as locals visit to discover more about their own family history from details pulled from museum archives.
As I toured the museum I saw a wide variety of cultural backgrounds exhibited. There were Russian nesting dolls, called "matryoshkas" or little mother dolls. They also display cornhusk dolls and a 300-year-old nativity crËche of ceramic figures. A Jeffersontown man, John S. Tyler, worked overseas for years as a missionary and donated dolls he collected from many cultures.
I noticed a pretty green enamel sign rescued from the old Jeffersontown passenger train depot. I had many times driven down Taylorsville Road under the railroad tracks and passed a tiny short street named Depot Road. Now I knew what was once down that little street. That is the beauty of history museums and saved articles from the past - they help to explain how we got here and why things now appear as they do. The museum also houses a lovely period walk-in phone booth. Local folks should enjoy the high school memorabilia dated from 1925 to 1950.
I was also impressed by the letters and artifacts from World War II. The exhibit includes uniforms, ration coupons, medals, letters and more. I marveled at the incredible eagle bronze sculpture commemorating those missing in action in Vietnam. The eagle clutches the soldiers' dog tags. I learned more about some founding members of Jeffersontown including Henry Watterson. One amazing machine of brass and wood is the large Baker and Swan 1904 cash register. Looking at it, a lovely piece of craftsmanship, reminds me of the older days of solid wood and tall ceilings and all things "built to last." I suppose now that I am older than, um, 40, that I am allowed to revel in nostalgia.
The Jeffersontown Museum occasionally hosts speakers, group tours by appointment and public workshops. In April, the museum will exhibit a collection of bridal gowns. Visit some museums this year on your Kentucky day trips and enjoy a look back before you rush forward.