Camden-Carroll Library

Morehead

Camden-Carroll Library serves as the main library for Morehead State University. Its Special Collections consist of various material related to the early history of Kentucky. Among these are a Rare Book Collection with focuses on the Appalachia, a Genealogy Collection with various government records and vital statistics, and many Manuscript Collections comprised of business records, correspondence, diaries, photographs, and other materials. A standout is the Appalachian Kentucky Collection, which consists of church records, maps, microfilm, newspapers, rare prints, and other private papers related to the Appalachian region of northeastern Kentucky. Finding Aids and an Online Catalog are available. Some of the Special Collections material has been digitized and can be viewed through Morehead State’s Digitized Collections.

Crabbe Library

Richmond

Crabbe Library serves as the main library for Eastern Kentucky University. Its Special Collections & Archives has a robust selection of early Kentucky sources, especially for Madison County. These holdings date back to the late 18th century and cover various periods and subjects in early American history. Some standouts include the American Slavery Collection, the Broadsides/Posters Collection, and the Newspaper Collection. There are hundreds of Finding Aids available. Much of the Special Collections material has been digitized and can be viewed through its Digital Collections.

The Filson Historical Society

Louisville

Founded in 1884, the Filson Historical Society focuses on the history of Kentucky and the Ohio River Valley. Its Collections are both vast and international in scope. These include its Library of rare books, maps, newspapers, and pamphlets, as well as Photos and Prints, Architecture Collections, and Jewish Collections. There is also a robust selection of Manuscript Collections, featuring over 2 million items related to Kentucky’s past. Subject strengths include the European settlement of Kentucky, the Antebellum era, the American Civil War, African American history, women’s history, and the history of journalism. Finding Aids are available. Items held by the Filson may be searched with either its Library Catalog or its Manuscript Database. Much of the Filson’s material has been digitized and can be viewed through its Digital Collections and its Online Image Database.

Forrest C. Pogue Library

Murray

Part of the Murray State University Libraries, the Forrest C. Pogue Library is home to Murray State’s Special Collections and University Archives. Its Regional History holdings focus on the heritage and culture of southwestern Kentucky and northwestern Tennessee, particularly in the Jackson Purchase. These materials date back to the 19th century and include Manuscripts, Books/Maps/Art, Microforms, and Indexes. There are also several Genealogy resources as well. Items held by the Pogue Library may be searched with its Online Catalog. Much of the Pogue Library’s collections have been digitized and can be viewed through Murray State’s Digital Commons.

Helm-Cravens Library

Bowling Green

The Helm-Cravens Library serves as the central library for Western Kentucky University. Its Special Collections Library maintains a large selection of early Kentucky materials. Among these are the Kentucky Library Research Collections, which consist of rare books, photographs, sheet music, periodicals, and other items related to Kentucky and its place in the world. There are also various Manuscripts & Folklife Archives which are made up private correspondence, diaries, account books, business records, literary papers, church minutes, land grants, court records, and several other types of documents. Descriptions of the Manuscripts are available. Items held by the Special Collections may be searched with the WKU Library Catalog.

J. Douglas Gay Jr./Frances Carrick Thomas Library

Lexington

The J. Douglas Gay Jr./Frances Carrick Thomas Library serves as the main library for Transylvania University, Kentucky’s oldest university. Its Special Collections department is home to various sources related to early Kentucky. A Rare Book Room features the Clara Peck Collection on the history of the horse and natural history, as well as the Horine Collection of pre-1800 medical texts and the Marcia Owen Collection of children’s literature. Various manuscript collections in focus on Kentucky’s history, including the Henry Clay Papers, the John Wesley Hunt Papers, and much more. Items held by the Library may be searched with its Online Catalog. Much of the Special Collections material has been digitized and can be viewed through the Kentucky Digital Library.

Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives

Frankfort

The Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives (KDLA) serves as the official repository for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Its Archives Research Room is where many of the KDLA’s material may be found and consulted. These holdings include much of Kentucky’s historic public records, including governors’ papers, vital statistics, marriage records, military records, censuses, judicial records, wills, deeds, and records of various state agencies. There are no private materials held by the KDLA. Items held by the KDLA may be searched with the KDLA Catalog. Much of the KDLA’s material has been digitized and can be viewed through the Kentucky State Digital Archives.

Kornhauser Health Sciences Library

Louisville

Part of the University of Louisville University Libraries, the Kornhauser Health Sciences Library maintains a large selection of early American sources. Its History Collection & Archives focuses on the history of medicine. The Collection includes the records of the University of Louisville School of Medicine and other medical schools in Kentucky. Much of these items date back to the 19th century. There are also records from local and state hospitals, health departments, medical societies, and other professional organizations, as well as the personal papers of Kentucky physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and health administrators. A large collection of rare books is also available, including the original library of School of Medicine, all of which were acquired prior to 1850. Much of the Kornhauser Library’s material has been digitized and can be viewed through the University of Louisville University Libraries’ Digital Collections.

Lexington Public Library

Lexington

The Lexington Public Library maintains a solid collection of early American sources. Its Kentucky Room is home to various genealogy and local history resources. These include books on all aspects of Kentucky, local newspapers, city directories, maps, photographs, state and local government records, and much more. Some standouts include the Kentucky Images collection, Lexington and Fayette County Government Documents, and the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill collection. Items held by the Library may be searched with its Online Catalog. Much of the Kentucky Room material has been digitized and can be viewed through the Kentucky Room Digital Archives.

Margaret I. King Library

Lexington

Part of the University of Kentucky Libraries, the Margaret I. King Library is one of the Bluegrass State’s premiere research libraries. Its Special Collections Research Center maintains extensive collections of early Kentucky sources. A robust Archives houses manuscript collections of personal papers, diaries, church and business records, and other ephemera. Collecting areas include Kentucky History, African American History, Appalachia, and much more. A useful digital resource is the Notable Kentucky African Americans (NKAA) Database. The King Library also maintains extensive selections of Newspapers and Microfilm. Items held by the King Library may be searched in its online catalog, InfoKat. Additional resources may be found at the University of Kentucky’s Appalachian Center & Appalachian Studies Program. Much of the King Library’s material has been digitized and can be viewed through ExploreUK.

W. Frank Steely Library

Highland Heights

The W. Frank Steely Library serves as the main library for Northern Kentucky University. Its Special Collections & Archives focuses on the history of northern Kentucky and the Cincinnati metropolitan region. These holdings touch on a variety of subjects including African American history, military history, politics and governance, and the culture of Appalachia. There is also a large collection of Newspapers. A Topical List of Collections is available. Some of the Special Collections material has been digitized and can be viewed through the NKU Digital Repository.

William F. Ekstrom Library

Louisville

The William F. Ekstrom Library serves as the main library for the University of Louisville. Its Archives & Special Collections (ASC) is home to various early American sources. A sizeable collection of Rare Books includes literary manuscripts and maps, as well as published works related to history, popular culture, science, and the history of the book. There are also over 2 million images in its Photographic Archives. Several manuscript collections dating to the 18th and 19th centuries are also included in the Special Collections. Items held by the ASC may be searched with its Archives Catalog. The Ekstron Library manages several Digital Initiatives, including its Digital Collections.

Other Kentucky Archives & Sources

Much of Kentucky’s early history can be documented through court records. Check with local county clerks of court to see what is available. A useful digital resource for the commonwealth is the Kentucky Digital Library, which catalogs and digitizes material from Kentucky’s various repositories. Kentucky Genealogy maintains a solid list of Kentucky Genealogy and Historical Societies.

Several regional repositories hold early Kentucky sources, including the Joseph Regenstein Library, the Marietta College Library, the Newberry, the Ohio History Connection, the Tennessee State Library and Archives, and the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture & History. Kentucky’s early history as a district of Virginia means several Virginia repositories hold significant collections of early Kentucky materials, including the Library of Virginia, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, and the University of Virginia Library. Early Kentucky sources can also be found at the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration.

As a space of British and French colonization attempts, Kentucky’s Ohio Valley regions are well represented in the archives of Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. Check with Canada’s Library and Archives Canada, France’s Archives Nationales d’Outre-Mer and Bibliotheque Nationale de France, and the United Kingdom’s National Archives at Kew.