The Kentucky Historical Society has been selected to receive a $142,700 Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives grant by the Council on Library and Information Resources and will use the funds to support the cataloging of an estimated 40,000 textiles in the Churchill Weavers Collection.

For 85 years, Churchill Weavers produced distinctive hand-woven clothing and home textiles in Berea. The business was auctioned in 2007 and, soon after, the society's foundation purchased the Churchill Weavers Collection, which includes thousands of fabric samples, tools, looms, photographs and business records.

"Nearly every textile created by Churchill Weavers has a sample in the fabric archive, documenting every pattern, weave nuance, color, fiber and material in their products," said Jennifer Spence, the society's Churchill Weavers project coordinator.

For more information about this grant and the Churchill Weavers Collection, contact Spence at (502) 564-1792, Ext. 4503 or jennifer.spence@ky.gov. For more about the society, its collections and programs, visit History.ky.gov.

St. Mark Catholic Church to observe Ash Wednesday

In observance of the beginning of Lent, St. Mark Catholic Church, 608 West Main Street in Richmond, will hold Ash Wednesday Mass and distribution of ashes today at 7 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

In lieu of the usual chocolates, cans of tuna will be awarded to students who correctly answer questions about scripture/traditions at the 8:15 a.m. St. Mark School Mass.

The 9 p.m. Mass will be with college students at the Catholic Campus Ministry building, located on the Eastern Kentucky University Campus.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, a 40-day period before Easter. Lent is a season of penance, reflection and fasting in preparation of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the church and help develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice. The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year.