Annual Events
Annual Living Treasures Reception

The Living Treasures Oral History Program started in 2007 at the Oldham County History Center in partnership with the Oldham Era Newspaper. From February through December a person is nominated and interviewed based upon their good deeds in life by the Oldham County History Center. Their life story is featured in the Oldham Era. Held each year in January, the 11 Living Treasures from the previous year is recognized at a reception.
Annual Juneteenth Celebration

Since 2004 the Oldham County History Center holds a Juneteenth Celebration to recognize achievements and contributions of African Americans in the community. The Elijah Marrs Award is given to the outstanding achievements of a person who has gone above and beyond efforts to “pave the way” as an example of overcoming barriers in life. Past Elijah Marrs Recipients are:
Purple Heart African American Veterans, Adell Durrett, James Beaumont, Dr. Kevin Wayne Cosby, Carrider “Rita” Jones, Joyce Ann Mason Winburn, Dorothy Dowe, Emma Laura Johnson, Ruby “Diane” Booker, Judge Kevin Cosby, and Kyra Elzy. The 2025 Elijah Marrs Recipient is U.S. Marine Major General Craig Timberlake.
Annual Oldham County History Center Gala and J. C. Barnett Champion of Oldham County History Award

The Annual Gala is a fundraiser for the Oldham County History Center supporting the general fund for the history center’s facilities and operation. The J.C. Barnett Champion of Oldham County History Award is given to individuals who have demonstrated their support through their generous gifts and time. Past recipients are:
2002 Milton Carl Stoess
2003 Theodore Klein (posthumously)
2004 Carl Klingenfus (posthumously)
2005 Dottie and Bill Lammelin
2006 Kim Snell (posthumously)
2007 J.W. and Rose Ethel Hall
2008 Gene Crady
2009 Vince Fanelli
2010 Ann Barrickman Smiser
2011 Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson
2012 Bill Samuels, Jr.
2013 Dennis Deibel
2014 Dr. E. Bruce Heilman
2015 Project Guild of LaGrange
2016 Charles Bottorff
2017 Robert Arvin
2018 Barney and Joyce Barnett
2019 Duane and Ann Murner
2020 Covid Year ☹
2021 Bob Jones
2022 Peyton Samuel Head Trust
2023 Eleanor Bingham Miller
2024 Richard Luce
El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Annual Celebration

In 2023 The Oldham County History Center began the El Dia de los Muertos Celebration as a tribute to those loved ones in our past that we bereave and remember. The Oldham County History Center conducts cemetery tours and has completed a list of burials in Oldham County. This special celebration is a wonderful way to continue our tribute to those in our past. On this special day, taken from Mexican traditions, we honor the deceased with a parade, dancing, traditional food, music and altars created in memory of our loved ones. The festival is held the first Saturday in November.

On the first day of December we invite families to come meet the Grinch to begin the Light Up LaGrange festivities. A great opportunity for pictures and we often have Santa Claus make a special appearance!
The Corn Island Storytelling Festival

The Corn Island Storytelling Festival began in 1975 and rotated in various venues in the Louisville area. The festival was organized by Professors Lee and Joy Pennington and has enjoyed years of entertaining through the magic of the humanity’s oldest art form. In 2024 the Oldham County History Center became the permanent home for the festival bringing the national talents of Andy Offutt Irwin and Jasmin Cardenas to kick-off its new home. The Oldham County History Center is proud to support the festival where stories help us “live” through experiences of others.