“We are the Curator of Memories, in many respects.”

OUR COLLECTIONS

Everyone who ever passed through this part of Kentucky or called it home, left a story behind. Some are stories of courage and great achievement, others of love and everyday survival. The more we explore those struggles and dreams, the more we understand our own. That’s the beauty of storytelling through the act of preservation.

Fine ART

Our fine art collection represents the best samples of Kentucky and Ohio painters including artists: Paul Sawyier, Aaron Corwin, James Roy Hopkins, and Steve White, among others. Additionally, we have collected artwork that is important to the story of Kentucky, such as a lithograph by Karl Bodmer and Jean-Francois Millet created in Paris, France around 1850 which depicts pioneer Simon Kenton’s torture after his capture by Shawnee Indians.

Personal Artifacts

19th century wedding gowns, military and band uniforms, jewelry, combs, quilts, shoes, eyeglasses, fans, snuffboxes, a case-on-frame chest made in Mason County, and tall case clocks from 1795 are just a selection of the more personal articles in the museum collection.

Historic Maps, Tools, & Equipment

Our collection houses a wide variety of artifacts and objects, including: Kentucky long rifles, swords from both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, a skillet thought to have been used by Simon Kenton, assorted revolvers and knives, a quilt frame, knapping hammer, and prehistoric American Indian artifacts, to name a few. The research library has numerous historical maps of Kentucky and the Ohio River Valley Region, including George Henri Victor Collot’s 1804 “General Map of the Course of the Ohio River” and “The Road from Limestone to Frankfort,” Filson maps, and examples of the first use of color cartography.

PRESERVATION IS OUR MISSION

Preservation has always been a core mission of Maysville-Mason County Library, Historical, and Scientific Association since our founding in 1878. While the artifacts we display are carefully curated to tell a story, many pieces of our collection are acquired simply to keep them safe and archived for their historical value. These artifacts reside in our climate controlled spaces to best protect them from the elements and for posterity.

OUR ARCHIVES

Thousands of priceless, historical documents are housed in our Archives Collection. This two story, climate controlled space provides the safest conditions for books, maps, photos, and more. While the archives are not open to the public, our librarians are happy to pull items for viewing to enrich your research experience!

COLLECTIONS

Tucked away in the lowest level of our facility is the Collections Room. Hundreds of priceless artifacts are stored in our underground collections environment. The items are documented and organized, with the utmost care, by our amazing team. Although, many of the items in the collections are under lock and key, they are often viewable on rotation!