Travel Information for Kentucky
Posted By:
Travel Commune Staff
on 11 December, 2006
The great state of Kentucky was admitted into the United States in 1792 as the 15th state. Known as the 'Bluegrass State' Kentucky is well known for many things, but there are three things that people commonly associate with the state. They are horse racing, distilleries, and bluegrass music.
Kentucky is home to the Kentucky Derby, one of the most recognized horse racing events in the world. This state's contribution to the equine world is huge. Horse shows, races, farms, museums, and more can all be found in Kentucky. The Kentucky Derby Museum is one of those attractions. This museum has two floors of artifacts and exhibits that relive past Kentucky Derby races. It is also set on the Churchill Down's land and offers tours to the clubhouse, and around the stables and grounds. Some popular exhibits include the artwork or Lloyd Kelly, who painted a mural at Churchill Downs, and the Derby Hats winners' exhibit. Another equine museum in the state is the American Saddlebred Museum. This museum is dedicated to spreading knowledge about Kentucky's only indigenous horse breed. There are artifacts, fine art pieces, photograph, and much more inside the exhibit. There is also a popular library which features over 2,400 volumes. This library is mostly used to trace the lineage and bloodlines of horses.
The state is also known for its production of the famous Kentucky Bourbon. There are several distilleries spread throughout the state but two of the most visited are the Labrot & Graham Distillery and the Buffalo Trace Distillery. L & B Distillery opened its door in 1812 and has been producing whiskey and bourbon ever since. It is seen as the oldest continually running bourbon distillery in the state of Kentucky. Another distillery with an equally prestigious history is the Buffalo Trace Distillery. There have been distilleries on this ground since 1797 owned by several different people and companies. An interesting face about Buffalo Trace is that it was one of only four distilleries that received permits to operate legally during Prohibition.
Bluegrass is another well known Kentucky tradition. The bluegrass region of Kentucky is an eclectic mix of cultures and traditions. The Bluegrass Heritage Museum reflects this in all of their exhibits. They also feature information on Bill Monroe and the foundation of what we now refer to as bluegrass music. There is another museum in Kentucky dedicated to that music. The International Bluegrass Museum features exhibits, films, recordings, photos, costumes, and instruments. All of these elements paint a picture of how bluegrass music originated and has grown throughout the years.
While spending time in Kentucky, you are bound to visit or come across one of these three subjects. All are interesting and unique, and each would led to making a vacation exciting. Horse racing, distilling bourbon, and bluegrass music have each helped to put Kentucky on the map as one of the prime areas for visiting in the Midwestern and Southern United States.
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