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1824-2024 Two Hundred Years of Stories

Oldham County's Bicentennial Year

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!

The Caldwell Bell is a special collection of the Oldham County History Center on display in the Center's history museum.

On Dec. 12, 1823, the Ky. General Assembly established a bill to be enacted on Feb. 1, 1824 to create Oldham County from parts of Jefferson, Shelby and Henry County. From that time forward the stories from Jefferson, Shelby and Henry County created boundaries, deeds, tax records, court cases and genealogy of a new place and new identity that remains today known as Oldham County. Thousands of stories have been created that tied people to a place, a new frontier where families settled, built homes, businesses, cemeteries and carried forward. Some arrived enslaved, some arrived indentured, some arrived as privileged, some arrived to create futures, some arrived to leave the past, but for whatever reason, they got here.

Over this coming year, the Oldham County History Center in partnership with the Oldham Era will feature a special column "200 Years of Stories" about the people who have lived, died and contributed to our local history. The first column begins in February!

Annual Living Treasures Reception: Free and Open to the Public!

Museum Opens Winter Season, January 17, 2024 with "Frolic in the Snow" Quilt by Gladys Belcher

The Oldham County History Center opens to the public after the Holiday break on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 with this beautiful quilt by Log Cabin Quilt Member Gladys Belcher.

Gladys has been a log cabin quilter for 4 1/2 years. Born in Letcher County Ky., she moved to Nebraska with her husband. After her husband's passing she moved to our area to live close to one of her daughters. "I have always loved to sew but did not take up

quilting until I moved by to Ky. and joined Log Cabin Quilters. I also love snowmen so this pattern with the "quilting swirls that look like blowing snow caught my attention. My two granddaughter and granddaughter-in-law love it so much that I have to make a quilt for each! This pattern is "Frolic in the Snow" from Maywood Studios. "

The quilt is on display in the museum lobby.

Oldham County History Center Hours:

Wednesday through Friday: 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. until 1. Admission fees vary; free to history center members.

Earl Bennett World War II Letters now posted on Oldham County History Center website

Oldham County History Center 2023 Intern, Coleson Taylor, has completed scanning, documenting and transcribing the Earl Bennett letters. These precious letters came from a scrapbook created by Earl's mother, Helen Bennett. Earl’s parents were Helen and Earl Bennett. He had a sister, Mary Elizabeth, brother, Clarence and half-brother Lindsey.

On December 7, 1941, eight months after Earl’s graduation from high school, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor which initiated the declaration of war by the United States the next day. By the Fall of 1942 Earl joined the Army Air Corps and began his life as a soldier. The next two years Earl honed his skills as an engineer gunner and was assigned to the 640^th Bomb Squad, 409^th Bomb Group. The following letter was written before Bennett received his orders to the Atlantic Theatre to the build-up of the Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944.

Written from AFB, Florence, South, Carolina, March 13, 1944

Dearest Mom

Today I became a man according to my birth certificate but at heart I’m only a kid still (as usual)

Gee- it was swell to get to talk to you over the phone tonight. It made it a perfect day for me. I also called Lee tonight so now I’m really a happy boy on my 21^st birthday. I don’t have a worry in the world tonight. If I was home now I would give you such a big hug and kiss it would take you a week to recuperate from it. Ha!Ha!

Mom- I’ve been wondering how you felt about me going overseas and tonight Lee told me you have been rather worried. I want you to feel proud that you have a son that is able to defend his country and stop worrying. I’m really happy to be able to do it and I think if I’m glad to fight for the things I love and want so much you should be the same. I want you to be happy mother and I’d do most any thing in the world to make you that way so please try not to worry any more than possible about me. I’m big enough to take good care of myself and keep out of devilment now and I realize lots and lots of things I didn’t when I joined the Army and I’m proud I didn’t wait to be drafted. I have such a swell family to come back to and such a nice girl I’m sure I’ll be back allright. Now- won’t I?? Yes.

I sure hope Mrs. Duvall gets allright. I used to love to visit her home when I was a kid. She is really a nice lady isn’t she? Does Julie (was that her name) still stay with her? Be suer and give her my best wishes for a speedy recovery.

If you can find a pen I’ve got to have one real soon and after trying to read the scribbling in this letter you’ll probably get me one. Ha!Ha!

I’m glad Sister M.E. is feeling ok now and hope the little squirt can stay allright. Lord- she had more trouble than a barrel of monkeys doesn’t she.

Oh, I can’t write anymore with this old pencil so I’ll close for now. Take care of Dad and Sis and write real often.

Your Loving Son

Earl D.

Text Link

2023 Morris Mount Roberts Intern, Coleson Taylor, transcribed and scanned the Earl Bennett WWII letters. Cole is a Senior history major at Bellarmine University.

Earl Bennett WWII Letters

Mark your calendars:

Earth Day Celebration, Saturday April 20 with Flute Player Fred Keams

Juneteenth Celebration, June 15, 2024 Oldham Co History Center

Oldham County History Annual Gala, July 30, 2024 at Barn 8

Corn Island Storytelling Festival, Sept. 19, 20 & 21, various locations

Day of the Dead Celebration and Parade, Nov. 2, 2024, Oldham Co History Center

Breakfast with the Grinch Fundraiser, Dec. 7, 2024, Oldham Co History Ctr

Oldham County History Center

106 N 2nd St, La Grange, KY 40031

(502) 222-0826

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