Help preserve Kentucky’s history with tax donation

The late Thomas D. Clark, Kentucky’s Historian Laureate For Life, once said that local history can help Kentuckians “discover their roots in time and place.”

The Kentucky Local History Trust Fund soon will help those working to make this happen. This new program — a donation Kentuckians can make on state income-tax returns — will help museums and other organizations show us why and how the study of history is relevant to modern Kentuckians.

From enabling people to find meaning in their collective past to energetic school programs and groundbreaking digital initiatives, these organizations are reshaping the use of local history.

Nearly 400 organizations now preserve and interpret Kentucky’s diverse and important history. They tell a broad number of stories, from the quintessential Kentucky topics of bluegrass music and the horse, bourbon and coal industries, to themes that showcase the unique regions of the state. Civil War battlefields, historic houses, folk art centers, sports museums, religious history sites and more spark conversations and create transformative experiences for visitors.

In Lexington, people can tour museums that interpret famous Kentuckians (the Mary Todd Lincoln House and Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate) and showcase our world-renowned horse industry (the International Museum of the Horse at the Kentucky Horse Park). They can view fabulous art collections (the University of Kentucky Museum of Art and the Headley-Whitney Museum) or learn about some of Kentucky’s most famous families (Waveland and the John Hunt Morgan House). Or they can experience museums devoted to favorite subjects and audiences, such as the Kentucky Aviation Museum and the Explorium children’s museum.

Heritage tourism is an important part of the economy. Statewide, tourism contributes $13.1 billion directly and indirectly to the economy and employs more than 179,000 people. Local history groups are a significant part of this equation, but they do so much more.

In addition to spurring economic development, they teach students vital skills for the 21st century such as critical thinking and problem solving, provide leadership lessons, make Lexington a more vibrant community, and help us understand what it means to be a Kentuckian.

Fortunately, the Kentucky Local History Trust Fund can help the long-term sustainability of these sites. This voluntary donation that Kentuckians can make on their state income tax returns will create a pool of grant funds for these organizations. By checking a box on your tax return to support the Kentucky Local History Trust Fund, you will help these organizations meet their missions and improve our communities.

As Clark noted, all of these organizations help Kentuckians discover their sense of place. They also help the use the lens of history to confront the challenges of the future.

Please help them continue their work by contributing to the Kentucky Local History Trust Fund on your state income tax return. Make your mark for history and help make a major impact.

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 6:47 PM with the headline "Help preserve Kentucky’s history with tax donation."