Browse Museums

Amer. Saddle Horse Mus.
Lexington, Kentucky

Specialized

B. Clements Mineral Museum
Marion, Kentucky

Specialized

Frazier International History Museum
Louisville, Kentucky

History, Military, Specialized

The Frazier Historical Arms Museum opened in May 2004, and houses two world-class collections, Britain's Royal Armouries, USA and The Frazier Collection. The Royal Armouries is Britain's oldest national museum, which includes the Tower of London, Fort Nelson, and the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. Thanks to this historic collaboration with the Royal Armouries, the Frazier Museum is the first cultural institution in the world dedicated to telling the complete American story, including its British and European roots.
The Frazier Museum holds in trust ones of the greatest collections of arms, armor and related historical artifacts in the world.

Great Saltpetre Cave Preserve
Mt. Vernon, Kentucky

History, Science, Specialized

Great Saltpetre Cave is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its role as a source of saltpetre during the War of 1812. Great Saltpetre Cave Preserve is owned by Rockcastle Karst Conservancy, Inc. (RKC) a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to preserving the unique geological, hydrological, biological, and recreational resources associated with caves and karst in the Rockcastle County, Kentucky region through education, land acquisition and resource management

Historic RailPark & Train Museum
Bowling Green, Kentucky

History, Historic House, Library, Park, Specialized

Step back in time to the golden era of railroad passenger service as a Tour Guide takes you behind the scenes of a Railway Post Office Car, Dining Car, Sleeper Car and Office Car, with special occasion options to see the interior of a diesel locomotive, a rare WWII Unit Hospital car, a Caboose and a soon to arrive rare 3-section Segregation rail car.

Kentucky Museum
Bowling Green, Kentucky

Art, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Library, Military, Specialized, University

Since 1939 we have been collecting the objects and papers that describe our state and our world from the perspective of Kentuckians and others. These materials, together with our exhibits, give glimpses into the extraordinary nature of daily life. Through their own words, Kentuckians tell their stories of President Abraham Lincoln, the liberation of a Nazi concentration camp, the swamps of Viet Nam, and slavery. See Kentucky through its postcards, sheet music and photographs. Discover folk customs and school traditions. Explore life in Kentucky during the Civil War and learn about a national food icon from Kentucky in our exhibit galleries.

KY Coal Mining Museum
Benham, Kentucky

Specialized

Schmidt Coca-Cola Museum
Elizabethtown, Kentucky

General, History, Specialized

The catalog of 750 auction items is available for purchase for $45 and includes free shipping to all 48 contiguous states (ships after August 22). To order, please contact the Schmidt Museum by phone or e-mail.

The Lost Squadron Exhibit at Bell County Airport
Middlesboro, Kentucky

History, Military, Specialized

A flight of eight brand-new P-38 fighter-bombers headed out for England, by way of Maine, Greenland and Iceland, to Scotland, in early July of 1942. They were turned back twice by bad weather, and eventually two of the planes had to be left behind because of mechanical problems, but the remaining six planes finally headed out on the leg from Greenland to Iceland on Sunday, July 12.

Ark Encounter
WILLIAMSTOWN, Kentucky

Church, Culture, History, Library, Nature Centers, Park, Specialized

Ark Encounter features a full-size Noah’s Ark, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. Spanning 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, this modern engineering marvel amazes visitors young and old.

Bluegrass Railway Museum
Versailles, Kentucky

Specialized

Georgetown & Scott County Museum
Georgetown, Kentucky

Art, Culture, General, History, Historical Society, Library, Specialized

The area that comprises Georgetown and all of Scott County was primarily Indian hunting grounds prior to settlement. This was changed by the French and Indian war of 1754 -1763, and the defeat of Pontiac’s uprising in 1763-1764. These events led to a treaty in 1768 that gave England extensive rights to lands in the west. A short time later in 1774 John Floyd traveled down the Ohio river as a deputy surveyor of Colonel William Preston. Because of the 1768 treaty and the events that lead to the treaty, present day Kentucky was then a portion Fincastle County, Virginia and was to be surveyed by order of the King. It was on this surveying expedition that Floyd discovered the Big spring or Royal Spring. Floyd surveyed a thousand acres about the spring, and left soon after.

Headley-Whitney Museum
Lexington, Kentucky

Art, Culture, Specialized

The Headley-Whitney Museum is a decorative arts museum with a collection of jewelry and bibelots created by founder George Headley along with objects from his collections. The Museum also displays a variety of changing exhibits.

Kentucky Derby Museum
Louisville, Kentucky

History, Historic House, Science, Specialized

The Kentucky Derby Museum, which sits on the front steps of historic Churchill Downs, is a very visible part of our community as one of Louisville’s premiere attractions. Graciously welcoming over 210,000 guests through the doors each year and giving them a first hand look at the event for which Louisville, Kentucky is known worldwide. The Museum aims to provide a lasting impression of tradition, hospitality and pride to our many visitors.

Kentucky Railway Museum
New Haven, Kentucky

Specialized

NKU Museum of Anthro.
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Specialized

The Aviation Museum of KY
Lexington, Kentucky

Specialized

The National Quilt Museum
Paducah, Kentucky

Art, Culture, General, Library, Specialized

The National Quilt Museum is devoted to contemporary quilts and fiber art. Established in 1991, the museum is committed to the preservation and advancement of quilting. In an average year, quilters and art enthusiasts visit from all 50 states and over 40 countries around the world. Located in a 27,000 square foot facility in historic downtown Paducah, Kentucky, the museum’s three galleries feature exhibits of the finest quilt and fiber art in the world. The museum’s vibrant and breathtaking exhibits are rotated 10-12 times per year. Our primary gallery, with over 7,000 square feet of exhibit space, features quilts from the museum’s collection which includes over 600 works of art. Our two other galleries feature touring exhibits of unique and diverse quilts and fiber art.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

Milledgeville, Georgia

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

Gaithersburg, Maryland

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

March 15 - 18, 2025

Blacksburg, Virginia

2025 Am Assoc for State and Local History Annual Conference

September 10 - 13, 2025

Cincinnati, Ohio

RECENT UPDATES

Museums

03/07 Pointe Coupee Parish Museum

New Roads, Louisiana

03/07 Uintah County Heritage Museum

Vernal, Utah

Museum Vendors

03/07 Digiscura

Encino, California

Museum Associations

03/07 Public Lands Alliance

Washington, District of Columbia

03/07 Oregon Museums Association

Portland, Oregon

03/07 Virginia Association of Museums

Richmond, Virginia

03/07 American Association for State and Local History

Nashville, Tennessee

03/07 Small Museum Association

Dover, Delaware