Monthly Archives: February 2010

Dr. Ron Fritze – Prince Madoc and the Welsh Indians: A Myth

Dr. Ron Fritze talks about Prince Madoc and the Welsh IndiansDr. Ron Fritze, Dean of Arts & Sciences at Athens State University, spoke on “Prince Madoc and the Welsh Indians: A Myth” and other topics on pseudohistory and pseudoscience in this month’s Kentucky Live! talk at Barnes & Noble this Thursday, February 11th. Ron is the author of ten books on a variety of topics including: Legends and Lore of the Americas Before 1492 and New Worlds: The Great Voyages of Discovery, 1400-1600. His newest book Invented Knowledge: False History, Fake Science and Pseudo-religions has been drawing international attention including a featured review in the Times Literary Supplement in London. Ron will be signing copies of his new book following his presentation. This talk series is sponsored by the Friends of WKU Libraries and the Kentucky Museum.

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Macy’s Used Book Sale at Depot

2010 Macy's Used Book Sale to benefit Southern Kentucky Book FestThe 2010 Macy’s Used Book Sale was conducted by the Southern Kentucky Book Fest Partners at Bowling Green’s Historic L&N Depot from February 5 to 7th. Sponsored by Macy’s, this annual event will benefit the 2010 Southern Kentucky Book Fest that’s going to take place on April 17  in the Carroll Knicely Convention Center, WKU’s South Campus at Nashville Road. The Southern Kentucky Book Fest Partners include WKU Libraries, Bowling Green Public Library and Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

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Ronald Reagan and William H. Natcher

Congressman William H. Natcher and President Ronald Reagan, with Senator Robert C. Byrd looking on

Congressman William H. Natcher and President Ronald Reagan, with Senator Robert C. Byrd looking on.

Last Saturday (Feb. 6), Americans noted the 99th anniversary of the birth of Ronald Reagan (1911-2004), U. S. President from 1981-1989.  Reagan’s relationship with William H. Natcher (1909-1994), Bowling Green native and U. S. Representative from Kentucky’s 2nd District, began in the late 1960s.  Then governor of California, Reagan wrote Natcher about funding issues related to various federal programs.

On election day, November 4, 1980, Democrat Natcher was reelected to Congress with the largest margin he had ever received but, in a Republican landslide, Ronald Reagan carried both Natcher’s district and Kentucky to become the nation’s 40th president.  Natcher had believed to the end that incumbent president Jimmy Carter might eke out a victory–but, he confided to his journal, “I was just as wrong as I could be.”

After becoming president, Reagan continued to correspond with Natcher, now chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee on labor, health and human services, on legislative matters, but he also sent the congressman Christmas cards, birthday wishes and social invitations.  These and much more are now part of the William H. Natcher Collection at WKU’s Special Collections Library.  For more information, contact mssfa@wku.edu.

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Basket Workshop

Soteria Green basket in process

Soteria Green basket in process

Basket making enthusiasts spent Saturday, February, 6th at the Kentucky Library & Museum enjoying their craft. Area expert Beth Hester instructed attendees in how to make a “Soteria Green Basket”. Several of the novice participants in particular were delighted to see how awesome their finished baskets looked.

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Quilts on Loan at Owensboro Museum

Pine Cone & Fish Tail Quilt

Pine Cone & Fish Tail Quilt

Three quilts from the Kentucky Library & Museum collection are now on display at the Owensboro Museum of Fine Arts as part of the “Lincoln Then & Now Exhibit. Exhibited in conjunction with period quilts from the Kentucky Historical Society, Museum of the American Quilters Society and the Owensboro Museum of Fine Arts, they join more than a dozen winners from a national competition, ABRAHAM LINCOLN BICENTENNIAL QUILTS, organized by the Museum of the American Quilter Society, Paducah, Kentucky.

The exhibit runs through March 21, 2010.

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Dr. Ron Fritze Will Speak in This Month’s Kentucky Live!

Dr. Ron Fritze will speak on “Prince Madoc and the Welsh Indians: A Myth” at Barnes & Noble this Thursday, February. 11th at 7:00 p.m.  His talk will also include other topics on pseudohistory and pseudoscience. Ron is Dean of Arts & Sciences at Athens State University and the author of ten books on a variety of topics including: Legends and Lore of the Americas Before 1492 and New Worlds: The Great Voyages of Discovery, 1400-1600. His newest book Invented Knowledge: False History, Fake Science and Pseudo-religions has been drawing international attention including a featured review in the Times Literary Supplement in London. Ron’s talk is part of the WKU Libraries’ Kentucky Live! talk series. Barnes & Noble is at 1680 Campbell Lane, Bowling Green, KY.

Ron will be signing copies of his new book following his presentation. Sponsored by the Friends of WKU Libraries and the Kentucky Museum.

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Amelia Smith Autograph Book

Amelia Smith Autograph Book

Amelia Smith attended the Southern Normal School in the mid-1880’s. During her time at the school, she kept an autograph book which has been donated to WKU University Archives.  This small book has been scanned and posted in TopScholar.  This and other student and alumni papers can be viewed in the Harrison-Baird Reading Room of the Kentucky Library Monday – Saturday 9 – 4.  Come visit.

Amelia Smith Autograph Book

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Bowling Green’s African-American VFW Post

Mike Glenn and Jonathan Jeffrey, Manuscripts & Folklife Archives Coordinator, Kentucky Library & Museum

Mike Glenn and Jonathan Jeffrey, Manuscripts & Folklife Archives Coordinator, Kentucky Library & Museum

On June 5, 1961, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) authorized 44 local African-American veterans to establish John Hicks Post No. 1682 in Bowling Green.  The authorizing certificate, with the veterans’ names inscribed thereon, was recently donated to WKU’s Special Collections Library by Mr. Mike Glenn.

John Hicks Post No. 1682 was located at 519 East 2nd St., and its commanders included Welmon Britt, Jr., Jesse Cook, James Carr and Sam Boyington.  The post appears to have been active until 1985.

A finding aid for this welcome addition to our collections documenting African-American history can be downloaded here.

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Donnie Love Autograph Book

Donnie Love's Autograph Book

Donnie Love's Autograph Book

Miss Donnie Love, a native of Horse Cave, Kentucky attended Southern Normal School about 1890. She received a teaching certificate and began teaching in Edmonson County by the age of 16. Her autograph book is now in University Archives and has been scanned for viewing online. There are 53 pages of autographs including this notation by Donnie Love herself inviting friends to write in her book.

The book is available online through TopScholar.

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