Posts Tagged ‘Oldham County History Center’

Articles

Hike to Historic Site

In Spotlight on February 22, 2018 by Randolph Hollingsworth Tagged: , ,

PRESS RELEASE from Helen McKinney, Oldham County History Center, La Grange

Westport Row & Kayak Club:
Hike to an Historic Site
Friday, March 9 at 11 a.m.
Oldham County History Center

A new club has been introduced by the Oldham County History Center: The Westport Row & Kayak Club. “The purpose of the club is to invite members to get out and explore the fascinating and beautiful places that make our community special. Often knowing and falling in love with the places where we live requires the experience and feel of where events and history took place,” said Dr. Nancy Stearns Theiss, Executive Director of the Oldham County History Center in La Grange. Theiss leads all activities and members meet at designated locations in Westport unless otherwise noted. The next outing is scheduled for Friday, March 9 at 11 a.m. Members will hike to an historic spot once owned by the Button family in Westport.

“Participants will not only go on some row adventures on the Ohio River but also hike on some unique and historic properties in the county,” she said. The club is geared for adults (21 and older) and open only to History Center members. All members of the club must furnish their own kayak for rowing events. Hikes will be moderate to difficult. There will be extra charges for some activities that include food and drinks. Dates are listed in the History Center Almanac, which can be picked up at the J.C. Barnett Libraries & Archives building/office, located at 106 N. Second Ave. in La Grange. A description of locations to meet and any other necessary information will be given when participants register for an outing.

The Westport Row and Kayak Club is a sponsor of SPLASH DAY which will be held on June 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. This event “celebrates water safety, history and conservation of the Ohio River,” said Theiss. The event, which is open to the public, is also sponsored by Oldham County Parks Dept., Knock on Wood and the Westport Fire Department. It will take place at the Westport ramp and boat dock. Activities include water safety demonstrations, hands-on activities, kayaking, food, etc.

Please call the Oldham County History Center for more information or to register for any Westport Row & Kayak Club events at (502) 222-0826.

Westport Row & Kayak Club 2018 Events

  • Friday, April 27 – Hike in La Grange includes cemetery walk, conservation park and visit to the Rob Morris house. 11 a.m. Bring brown bag lunch.
  • Thursday, June 14 – SPLASH DAY. 5-8 p.m.
  • Wednesday, July 11 – Evening on the Ohio River Paddle. Launch at the Westport Boat Ramp. Cost will include dinner. 5-8 p.m.
  • Thursday, August 16 – Hike and swim to a spring fed pond and late 18th century springhouse. Cost will include dinner.
  • Sunday, September 9 – Morning paddle on the Ohio River. 10 a.m.

Oldham County Historical Society
106 N. Second Ave.
La Grange, KY  40031
502.222.0826
www.oldhamcountyhistoricalsociety.org
info@oldhamcountyhistoricalsociety.org
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Articles

D.W. Griffith films

In Spotlight on January 19, 2017 by Randolph Hollingsworth Tagged: , ,

D.W. Griffith

Kentuckian D.W. Griffith (1875-1948)

The Oldham County History Center is celebrating is D.W. Griffith’s birthday today.  Here’s from Helen McKinney’s press release:

Celebrate D.W. Griffith’s Birthday!

D.W. Griffith movies at the Oldham County History Center
Feature Film Sundays
Sunday, January 22, 2017 from Noon – 4 p.m.
Peyton Samuel Head Family Museum
108 N. Second Ave., La Grange, Ky  40031

In honor of one of Oldham County’s most famous residents, the Peyton Samuel Head Family Museum (located on the Oldham County History Center campus) will be showing a selection of D.W. Griffith’s most famous silent movies. Visitors to the museum, now open on Sundays from Noon – 4 p.m., will also be invited to enjoy a slice of cake to celebrate what would have been Griffith’s 142nd birthday.

David Wark Griffith (January 22, 1875-July 23, 1948) was born on a farm in Oldham County to Mary Perkins and Jacob “Roaring Jake” Griffith. Roaring Jake was a Confederate army colonel during the Civil War, and died when his son was ten years old. Four years later, the family moved to Louisville where Griffith’s mother opened a boarding house that soon failed. Griffith left high school to help support the family. It wasn’t long before he left Louisville to begin what would become a very lucrative film career.

Griffith got his start as an actor in touring companies. By 1908 he had begun making short films and accepted a job at Biograph . He released his first feature, Judith of Bethulia, in 1914; it was one of the earliest to be produced in the United States. Griffith’s film career was defined at Biograph, but he eventually left the company. He became one of the most famous American film directors, writers and producers in the business, and will be forever remembered as the filmmaker who pioneered modern filmmaking techniques.  One of his most popular movies was the 1915 silent classic, The Birth of a Nation. Controversial for its time, it made Griffith a house-hold name.

Sally of the Sawdust will be one of the D.W. Griffith films shown on Sunday, January 22 at the Peyton Samuel Head Family Museum. Released on August 2, 1925, this silent comedy was based on the 1923 stage musical, Poppy. The film version starred W.C. Fields, Carol Dempster and Alfred Lunt. When her circus mother dies after being disowned, young Sally (Dempster) is raised by Professor Eustace McGargle (W.C. Fields), a juggler and small-time con man. McGargle trains Sally to dance for his opening act, and the pair joins a carnival based in Green Meadow, Conn. Visit the museum to learn how young Sally’s life turns out.

The showing of these D.W. Griffith movies is part of a new program, “Feature Film Sundays” at the museum. Every second and fourth Sunday of the month, movies with relevance to Oldham County will be shown. Museum hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sundays, Noon – 4 p.m.  Cost is $8 (adults), $6 (students, seniors and military with ID) and free for children 4 and under.

Oldham County Historical Society
106 N. Second Ave.
La Grange, KY  40031
502.222.0826

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