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​.

02/19/2025

Due to inclement weather, Governor Beshear has closed all state office buildings on February 19, 2025. This includes the State Records Center, Archives Center, and Research Room. Virtual services will continue.

02/18/2025

Kentucky State Parks are offering lodging to displaced flood victims.

Our hearts are heavy as historic flooding impacts our beloved communities but we will get through this together. Please be cautious when traveling. For the most current information, please see our website at parks.ky.gov.

Note: Cumberland Falls State Resort Park has lost electricity and sewage system functionality.

02/18/2025

Are you a Kentucky artist or arts and culture organization in need of assistance due to recent flooding? Contact us or visit www.khern.org/resources for more resources.

In 1925, Floyd Collins entered Sand Cave to explore it for potential tourist development and became trapped on his retur...
02/18/2025

In 1925, Floyd Collins entered Sand Cave to explore it for potential tourist development and became trapped on his return journey. Rescue efforts took 17 days but ultimately failed. This attracted national interest and thousands of tourists.

2025 is the 100th anniversary of Floyd Collins’ tragic story. Mammoth Cave National Park recently shared a series of news bulletins chronicling the rescue efforts and media attention surrounding the event. This story has even inspired the Floyd Collins musical, which will have its Broadway debut this year at Lincoln Center Theater.

The State Normal School for Colored Persons was chartered in 1886 and was the second state-supported institution of high...
02/17/2025

The State Normal School for Colored Persons was chartered in 1886 and was the second state-supported institution of higher learning in Kentucky. It was created to train African American teachers for Black elementary schools. Over the years, classes outside the education field were added to the curriculum and the name was changed. In 1972, it became the Kentucky State University.

Kentucky State University is the only public Historically Black College or University in Kentucky.

02/14/2025

KDLA will be closed on February 14, 2025, for professional development.

Messages may be left at (502) 564-8300. We will return your calls on Monday.

02/10/2025

Due to forecasted inclement weather, Governor Beshear has closed all state office buildings on February 11, 2025. This includes the State Records Center, Archives Center, and Research Room. Virtual services will continue.

Kentucky Chancery Case Files Now Available Online Chancery Case files for the Kentucky General Court (1799-1850) are ava...
02/04/2025

Kentucky Chancery Case Files Now Available Online

Chancery Case files for the Kentucky General Court (1799-1850) are available on the Kentucky State Digital Archives. This early court heard many land disputes, several of which involved notable early Kentuckians and which helped establish the earliest property lines. The images have been indexed to include names of the individuals, places, and subjects involved to allow for accurate searching.

https://kdla.access.preservica.com/portal/en-US/collection/sdb%3ASO%7C269bfdfd-f4ce-48b0-ae0f-03d1bf565a76

We have new items in the Capitol display! This display is located just outside the rotunda -- take a look!
02/03/2025

We have new items in the Capitol display! This display is located just outside the rotunda -- take a look!

We are hiring an Archivist I in the Archival Services Branch! Responsibilities include performing in-depth research and ...
01/28/2025

We are hiring an Archivist I in the Archival Services Branch! Responsibilities include performing in-depth research and responding to reference requests, processing collections in the Archives Center, retrieving and refiling original records, and providing reference assistance to onsite researchers!

Apply here by February 7! https://kypersonnelcabinet.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=67252&site=2

On March 5, 1964, Martin Luther King, Jr. led the March on Frankfort, which led to the passage of the Kentucky Civil Rig...
01/20/2025

On March 5, 1964, Martin Luther King, Jr. led the March on Frankfort, which led to the passage of the Kentucky Civil Rights Act in 1966. Each year, the Martin Luther King Jr. State Commission holds essay, artwork, poetry, and oratorical contests among students in grades 4-12 to celebrate and honor Dr. King’s life and legacy. See the 2003 celebration here: https://t.ly/iSZVJ

Please be aware that the Archives Research Room is being painted during the week of January 20th, following the holiday....
01/17/2025

Please be aware that the Archives Research Room is being painted during the week of January 20th, following the holiday. Services will be provided during normal hours in another space Tuesday – Thursday, but there will be fewer microfilm machines available and there may be delays in access to records. Please contact us at [email protected] or (502) 564-1770 if you have any questions.

The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives will be closed on January 20, 2025.
01/16/2025

The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives will be closed on January 20, 2025.

01/15/2025

The first 2025 meeting of the Interagency Subcommittee on Environmental Education was held this week at the KEEC home office in the Education and Labor Cabinet's Mayo Underwood Building.

Thank you to representatives from Environmental Protection, Division of Water, Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves , Department of Parks, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Kentucky Division of Forestry, Division for Air Quality, Division of Enforcement, Division of Waste Management, Office of Energy Policy, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Department of Education, and Kentucky State Archives, who come together quarterly to connect on state-wide environmental education.

Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet

01/09/2025

Due to inclement weather, Governor Beshear has closed all state office buildings on January 10, 2025. This includes the State Records Center, Archives Center, and Research Room. Virtual services will continue.

01/06/2025

Due to inclement weather, Governor Beshear has closed all state office buildings on January 6, 2025. This includes the State Records Center, Archives Center, and Research Room. Virtual services will continue.

Former President Jimmy Carter visited Kentucky a few times during and after his presidency. Here are photos of him durin...
12/30/2024

Former President Jimmy Carter visited Kentucky a few times during and after his presidency. Here are photos of him during a July 1979 visit to the Cave Run power plant and another photo with his wife, Rosalynn, and former Kentucky Governor John Young Brown Jr. at a 1983 Derby Gala. Our condolences are with his family.

The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives will be closed on December 31 and January 1. We will reopen on Thursd...
12/26/2024

The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives will be closed on December 31 and January 1. We will reopen on Thursday, January 2.

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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Research Room Refresh
Research Room Refresh

We have been hard at work getting the Research Room ready to re-open! With a fresh carpet and a new layout, the Research Room is ready for your visit. We are open Monday-Thursday, 9am-3:30pm ET. Appointments are encouraged! Check out our guidelines for visiting the archives here: https://kdla.ky.gov/Archives-and-Reference/Pages/Visiting-the-Archives.aspx.

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