Randall Boyers 1926 - 2024
This newsletter comes with the sad news that one of our oldest volunteers, Randall Boyers, passed away on August 4th of this year. Those of us who looked forward to Randall’s presence each weekend really miss seeing him in his “chair.” Often times we would joke that he was our oldest living artifact!
New Board Member
We welcome Lee Kendall as our newest Board of Director. Lee is taking over Randall’s position on the Board of Directors. Lee, a former high school history teacher, will be an asset to the Museum.
Museum Rearranging
The Museum has expanded its library into another room completely. Visitors now have a place to sit down and read through the many historical books, articles, photos, etc. that have been donated. Thanks to Billy and Sharon Fowler and Larry Benson for taking this project on. This has opened up our Room 6 to allow a better display of our “school” section.
Cynthiana Democrat Articles
Beginning this fall the Museum has revised a “Museum Corner” in the Cynthiana Democrat each week. One week will feature a reprint of George Slade’s Museum Musings articles; one week an excerpt from Cromwell’s Comments; one week will feature something going on in the Museum; and one week an article on the activities of our Junior History Club will be printed.
October Fun!
During October our resident skeleton, Dead Fred, will once again post his escapades around the Museum when the volunteers are not here. This is the sixth year that his Facebook activities have been available for fans to view. Joining Dead Fred will be his dog, Little Louie and his pal, Laughing Larry. In past years they have been joined by David Sheely and Lucinda Boyd. This year Dead Fred has invited Death Valley Scotty to visit. Folks can check out their adventures by going to the Cynthiana Harrison County Museum Facebook Page each week.
Harrison Heritage News
Every other month the Museum has an article printed in the Harrison Heritage News. This is the
newsletter published by the Harrison County Historical Society. As we share many members with this organization, we are grateful for the opportunity to keep people updated on the Museum activities through this media. Membership in the Historical Society can be obtained by going to their website, or by contacting us at P.O. Box 557, Cynthiana, Ky 41031. Membership dues are $12 if getting a newsletter by mail, or $10 for an electronic mailing.
Jones Civil War Letters
We are in the final stages for updating our “Jones Civil War Letters.” Thanks to Karen Bear, Will Lucky, Larry Benson, Bill Penn and Jack Gruber and the many other people involved thus far in this project. For those who may need an update. The Museum is in possession of original letters between William Jones and his wife, Mary, while he was fighting in the Civil War. William was captured and held by the Confederacy, during which time he continued to write to his wife back in Harrison Co. The letters have been digitalized and recorded. Efforts are being made to be able to view on a map the location from which William wrote his letters during his time in the Union Army and relate and compare his perception of the war and his surroundings to the historical record that may exist. This is an ambitious undertaking for the Museum, but one that will carry a great deal of value for people in our area in trying to understand the effect the Civil War had on the families in our community during this period of time. Also, the fact that we have direct descendants of this family still living in Harrison County makes this project even more special and in need of being recognized.
Handy Farm Headstones
Another recent Museum undertaking was the salvage and repair of two headstones from the “Handy Farm,” once located on land that is, now Flat Run Veterans Park. Originally, Col. William Brown built the home, known during his life time as “Chestnut Hall.” He raised his family there and his son, James Nicholas, started his family there also. During this time James and his wife, Polly, buried their first two children, Mary (1829) and William (1831). Neither child reached their first birthday. In 1834 the entire Brown family packed up and moved to Illinois. The headstones, over the years were toppled over. The land was farmed and the headstones fell into more disarray. Eventually, the headstones were discarded onto a rock pile and the gravesites forgotten. During the decision to demolish the home that had come to be known as the “Handy House,” pieces of the headstones were salvaged and eventually taken to the basement of one of our Museum volunteers, Mia Williams, for safe keeping. Over this summer the pieces of headstone have been put back together, thanks to Larry Benson, and Billy and Sharon Fowler. They are on permanent display in the Museum as a reminder of how important it is to remember the past. Without the efforts of a few people, these children would have been completely forgotten to history. This is why the Museum, exists. We can’t change the past, but we can take a look back into it through the artifacts left behind.
Our Junior History Club is gearing up for another great year! During October the members will be going with Roger Slade for a tour of the Graveyard. Plans are underway to help the Cynthiana Democrat come up with pictures for the 2025 Community Calendar. Efforts to reach out to the Nicholas County Student History Club and share a couple of meeting dates are underway. Thanks to Karen Bear, Mia Williams, Larry Benson and Will Lucky for their guidance and commitment to this Museum activity.
Christmas Shopping at the Museum
If anyone is looking for Christmas gifts, remember the list of books that are available at the Museum: South Fork of Licking by Richard Anderson; Rebel Town by Bill Penn; This Old House by Katherine Wilson; Nick and Viola by Laura Derr; Railroads of Harrison Co. by George Slade, City Schools of Cynthiana; Lost Buildings of Harrison Co. REA; and Horses of Harrison Co., all by Bill Penn. We are currently out of the Harrison County Family