Kentucky State Archives

Kentucky State Archives Archives Research Room public hours are Monday – Thursday 9:00 am – 3:30 pm / Closed Fridays.

The Archives and Records Management Division works with agencies to ensure creation and preservation of adequate and proper documentation of the agency's organizational functions, policies, decisions, procedures, and essential transactions, as well as information which protects the legal and financial rights of the government and of individuals directly affected by an agency's activities. The divi

sion operates the State Archives to house and make available for research permanently valuable state and local government records. To provide agencies with secure, economical storage for their non-current records, the division manages the State Records Center. To ensure continued preservation of and access to records, the division also furnishes centralized micrographics and document preservation services. The division provides citizens and government with access to records by arranging and describing them, by creating finding aids and access tools to them, and by making them readily available through on site research facilities and by answering telephone and mail reference requests. KRS 171.410-740

Communication through agency-related social media is considered a public record under KRS 171.410(1) and will be managed under the terms of KRS 171.410 through 171.740 and 725 KAR Chapter 1. Any posting to these social media pages may be subject to disclosure to third parties. The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives reserves the right to address or remove any posts or comments at its discretion. The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives has not evaluated and does not endorse any products advertised or opinions expressed on these pages​.

06/19/2026

This week, Governor Andy Beshear issued posthumous pardons to 43 individuals who helped enslaved people escape to freedom. Former KDLA Research Room Supervisor Jim Prichard's article, "Hell without Fire: Kentucky's Anti-Slavery Prisoners" recently appeared in The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society. Prichard's research in the Kentucky State Archives helped gather the stories and names of the individuals pardoned.

06/04/2026

This year, America celebrates its 250th anniversary. Today, Kentucky celebrates 234 years of statehood.

On June 1, 1792, Kentucky was admitted to the union as the 15th state and the first state west of the Appalachian Mountains. Drafted and signed in Danville, the 1792 Constitution followed the example of the US Constitution, established a tripartite government with a bicameral legislature and a bill of rights.

06/04/2026
Electronic Records Working GroupJune 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.Thoroughbred Room300 Coffee Tree RoadFrankfort, KYDerek Clark...
05/29/2026

Electronic Records Working Group
June 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Thoroughbred Room
300 Coffee Tree Road
Frankfort, KY
Derek Clark / 502.564.1707​​

State Archives and Records Management Advisory Committee
June 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Thoroughbred Room
300 Coffee Tree Road
Frankfort, KY ​
Cathrine Giles / 502.564.1702

State Libraries, Archives, and Records Commission
June 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Thoroughbred Room
300 Coffee Tree Road
Frankfort, KY
Cathrine Giles / 502.564.1702

Big news! We have added nearly 8,000 more cases to the nearly 500,000 entries to be discovered on our Judicial Index dat...
05/28/2026

Big news! We have added nearly 8,000 more cases to the nearly 500,000 entries to be discovered on our Judicial Index database!

This database includes criminal and civil cases across Kentucky's 120 circuit court, ranging in date from 1785 through 1991. Explore the database today! https://judicialindexes.ky.gov/

05/27/2026

Our conference is coming so soon, and we absolutely cannot wait to welcome you to the historic Hotel Metropolitan in Paducah for our opening reception! Join the incredible Betty Dobson (as the hotel’s founder, Maggie Steed) and her special guests, Jaelon Harris (as Sam Cook), Tineka Fitzgerald (as Mahalia Jackson), and A Different Sound Band, as they bring to life this important landmark in the historic Black “Upper Town” neighborhood of Paducah. Registered conference goers will be treated to live music, living history presentations and tours, and a delicious dinner of community-prepared fare.

Sponsored by the Filson Historical Society’s African American History Initiative.

REGISTER NOW: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/kmha-annual-conference-registration-june-7-9--2026

The Filson Historical Society

Local Records Program Grant Review Advisory Group - Special MeetingMay 28, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.Thoroughbred Room300 Coffee...
05/26/2026

Local Records Program Grant Review Advisory Group - Special Meeting
May 28, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.
Thoroughbred Room
300 Coffee Tree Road
Frankfort, KY
Dillon Ellzey / 502.564.9364

Reminder about these upcoming trainings!
05/11/2026

Reminder about these upcoming trainings!

Attention, state and local government employees! What even is government records management, and how does it concern you? If this is the first you've heard about records management or if you need a refresher, we have training available! Check out the upcoming trainings below. All times are in eastern.

State Government (register via MyPurpose!)
- May 13 at 10:00 a.m. (in person). Session ID: 166913
- August 6 at 10:00 a.m. (virtual). Session ID: 166917
- November 4 at 10:00 a.m. (in person). Session ID: 166918

Local Government
- October 20 at 10:00 a.m. (virtual). Register at https://tinyurl.com/KDLALocal10

Email Deleting Workshop (State AND Local Government)
- May 6 at 2:00 p.m. (virtual). Register at https://tinyurl.com/KDLAEDW5

Address

300 Coffee Tree Road
Frankfort, KY
40602

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+15025648300

Website

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