The South Central Kentucky Cultural Center (SCKCC) is located in the 1928 Kentucky Pants Factory building, in the heart of Glasgow, Kentucky, at 200 W. Water Street. It holds rich historic memories within its collections of newspapers, letters, scrapbooks, documents, photographs, genealogy resources, and first-class exhibits. It is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the treasured heritage of the geographic area known as “The Barrens” which includes Barren, Hart, Metcalfe, Monroe, and Allen counties. People of all ages, from around the United States and even some foreign countries visit and are pleasantly surprised by the quality of the exhibits that invite you to step into history. Visitors can see what life was like for the average person of the Barrens from the time of prehistoric Americans to modern life of the 1960s. Artifacts used by our ancestors and given to the museum by their descendants, who have carefully saved community heritage for many years, help the visitor glimpse what life was like for early settlers living in a log cabin. Other attractions include an extensive military exhibit, a one-room schoolhouse, a 1920’s illustration complete with a moonshine still, a 1940’s kitchen, a general store, a doctor’s office, a dentist office, an undertaker, a service station, a beauty shop, clothing emporium, and more. While admission to the museum is free, your donations are vital in helping the museum create temporary and permanent exhibits. Visit the Museum Gift Shop where you can purchase a souvenir of your visit or books of local history for the genealogist in your family. You can also stop by the Cultural Center’s Art and Antiques Gallery. Here you will find an antique mall and art gallery featuring works by local artists being sold to the public to benefit the museum. Check out our Facebook and web pages to learn about history and cultural programs that the museum hosts throughout the year.
On September 21 and 22, the SCKCC will present the 9th Annual Harvest of History fundraising tour. Each year, the tour highlights different historical figures from “The Barrens.” Talented re-enactors dressed in period costumes “become” their historic character, entertaining, teaching, and inspiring while sharing their unique life story. Plan to attend and steal a glimpse into the past.
The Harvest of History tour serves as a primary fundraiser for the Cultural Center. The Cultural Center offers tickets at a reduced rate to students from grades 3 through 12. Teachers, this is a good opportunity to offer extra credit to students who attend the Harvest of History; and students, this is a perfect time to be entertained while you learn about your local history. This year the funds raised will be used to add the finishing touches that will complete the exhibit space on the second floor and begin preparations for opening the third floor of the museum.
The Harvest of History program requires the help of the community and many dedicated volunteers. Each volunteer is necessary for the Harvest of History tour to accomplish its goals, which are to share and preserve local history, honor the historical figures by telling their stories, and illustrate that everyone’s life impacts the community and each person has a significant story to tell.
This year, the historic characters portrayed include: Richard Crossfield who was an early minister, author, lecturer and university president and will be portrayed by Sam Terry. Forrest Ellis Rice owned an appliance business in Glasgow and had an avid interest in aviation and will be portrayed by his son “Chappy” Rice. Nathaniel Gorin Terry was a dynamic preacher in the Barrens who will be re-enacted by his descendant, Charles Goodman. Berda Church, a grandmother of the 1940s, will be portrayed by descendant Nikki Poland. F. M. Jones was the proprietor of a local dry goods store and will be re-enacted by Todd Steenbergen. Bess Howard, who taught school and in 1921 became the first woman elected as the Barren County Court Clerk, will be portrayed by local author Peggy Goodman.
Harvest of History tickets, tax included, are $13 each for adults and $7 each for students in grades 3-12. Tickets are available at the Cultural Center. All tours begin at the South Central Kentucky Cultural Center. Transportation is provided to and from the cemetery. Tours begin at 6 p.m. and take about one hour. The last tour departs from the Cultural Center at 8 p.m.
Come join us for a memorable evening of history and entertainment!
