Welcome to The Ohio County Historical Society! We are a non profit organization dedicated collecting and preserving authentic information, facts, and relics connected with the history of Ohio County, Kentucky. We reorganized our Society in 1971, and opened the museum in 1973. We soon outgrew that building and we moved into the Thomas House in 1975. All kinds of items are on display and one of our knowledgeable volunteers would love show you around. In addition to the Thomas House, we have an authentic L&N caboose, a one room school, one room store, a log cabin, and a building filled with period tools. We also have a Veteran’s Museum with exhibits about our local men and women who have served in the military. If you have any comments, stories, or questions about local history or genealogy, please leave a comment below.
Hours for the Thomas House:
Monday: 11am-4pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11am-4pm
Thursday: 11am-4pm
Friday: 11am-4pm
Saturday: 9am-3pm
Sunday: Closed
Closed holidays and inclement weather.
Admission is $2.00 per adult and $.50 per child.
Hours for the Veteran’s Museum are the same as the Thomas House. Admission is free.
We are located at 415 Mulberry Street, Hartford, KY.
Group tours are available; please email Helen McKeown (helen@imckeown.com) for more information. The museums are staffed with volunteers so hours may be subject to change. Feel free to post any questions or comments on this website or Facebook page (or email Helen McKeown) and we will try to get back to you as quickly as possible.
Donations are accepted at both locations and are tax deductible.
Looking for some information regarding Rev. William Downs of Ohio County who died in 1860. I have seen the historical marker there in Hartford that honors him. My question is: Where is he buried? Would it be in a cemetery on the old family farm along Rough River near Hartford? If so, can you provide directions to the cemetery? Also, does his grave have a marker? Thank you. Barry Downs, Leitchfield, KY
Unfortunately, we don’t have any info regarding his burial site. Perhaps someone else reading this may know something.
Would there be any information on the William Haynes, John B. Haynes, Sr., John B. Haynes Jr. lives or properties? I know where the gravesites are, but would like to know if there is other information about those families (Adams Fork area) about 1810 to 1870. I plan to visit the museum/historical society in another week. Thank you.
William Haynes started first newspaper in
Grayson County and in 1875 wrote the book that The Legend of Doc Brown is
based on. That is a play at Pine Knob Theatre. William and his brother
Samuel were on opposite sides in Civil War, Samuel almost shot him at
Sullivan’s Barn skirmish in McLean County before he saw it was his
brother. Their brother Josiah Haynes was physician in Calhoun, his house
is on the main street next to Treasure House museum resale shop.
Grandchildren of John Barton Haynes.
This family like others used and used names again, so if this is not the
cluster you want, I likely may have the other information. My
contact information helen@imckeown.com and I will try to help more.
I have The Duke Family Bible, it starts with William V. Duke and Ida E. Acton.
Married in Horton, KY May 21 1884
My line of the Duke family has run out and no one in the Family wants it.
Would the Historical Society like to have it?
Contact Helen McKeown and she will discuss it with you. Her email is helen@imckeown.com. Thank you for thinking of the Historical Society!
I am researching the Ambrose, Benton and Bennett families. Do you have any information on the following:
John Bennett and Cassandra (Benton) Bennett and their daughter Elizabeth (Bennett) Shown – do you have information that shows Elizabeth is their daughter?
Lewis Ambrose and his son Samuel W. Ambrose – do you have any information that shows Samuel is Lewis’ son?
If you do not have this information then do you know if the local libraries have this information?
Thanks!