Welcome to the Cynthiana Harrison County Museum!
The Cynthiana Harrison County Museum first opened its doors in July 1994. Housed in the historic Rohs Movie Theatre on S. Walnut St. the museum is a step back in time displaying nearly 3000 artifacts showcasing the community’s Military, Education, and Agricultural Histories. Rooms are also devoted to items from childhood, daily life, local industry, and the town’s churches, police and fire departments.
Our museum exists to preserve, display, maintain and share artifacts of historical significance. It provides a “snapshot” into the past. The Cynthiana Harrison County Trust Inc. established the museum to provide a place where the tangible history of this small town Kentucky community could reside.
Museum Hours
Special Summer Events
Friday & Saturday 10am - 4pm
or by Appointment - Call 859-234-7179
124 South Walnut Street Cynthiana, Kentucky
4000 Sq. Ft. of Display Space Showcasing Over 3500 Artifacts!
This is a Mortician's "Cooling Table" and was used by undertakers for preparing bodies for burial. It was also used by field doctors during the Civil War for emergency amputations. The 'bed of the table is perforated with holes for the drainage of body fluids.
Our Museum's tool section is filled with hand hewn tools and implements used by local farmers, machinists, carpenters, and those of other professions. Come see how the tools from the past were made and used.
One of the Museum's prized artifacts are the more than 100 letters sent by Harrison county resident William Jones to his wife Mary while he was fighting for the Union during the Civil War. The hand written letters dated from 1864 have been transcribed into a binder and are available for reading. The letters discuss everything from his episodes on the battlefield to the loss of friends, and the love for his wife. A real treasure.
New Acquisitions
We are always receiving new artifacts in the museum. Here are a few recent acquisitions and newly displayed items.
Museum receives Civil War Cannon Balls
Believed to have been found at the Battle field of Manassas, VA these cannon balls were used during the Civil War. On the left, a Solid Shot Cannon Ball and on the right a Borman Time Fuse Cannon Ball - an unexploded 'dud' though to have been used by the Union Army.
More About the Borman Time Fuse Cannon Ball
Solid Shot Cannon Ball
Borman Time Fuse Cannon Ball
Stained Glass Window from Monticello Mansion
Removed after a devastating fire consumed the Cynthiana Mansion, this stained glass window was a gift from Donald Wagoner. Upon his retirement from the Air Force Donald's mother presented him with this beautiful relic from the home. Donald recently gave it to our Museum to preserve it's beauty and history.
In this photo of Monticello Mansion you can see the beautiful stained glass windows placed on top of the long windows to the left of the main entrance. This home was a masterpiece of design and architecture built in 1883 for Thomas Jefferson Megibben. It was placed on the National Historic Register in 1974 but was destroyed by fire in 1985.
General John Hunt Morgan's Grand March
General John Hunt Morgan's Grand March sheet music "Dedicated To The Officers & Privates Of His Command" was published in Richmond, VA by Confederate States of American. Composed by C.L. Peticalas in 1864... this copy was reprinted in 1965 by Don D John at Book Nook Press in Louisville.