With more than two dozen sites listed as National Historic Landmarks, Kentucky offers fascinating points of departure for history lovers. Among them are the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site (Hodgenville), Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate (Lexington), Labrot & Graham Distillery (Versailles), Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (Harrodsburg), and the Belle of Louisville river steamboat.
In 1750, after Dr. Thomas Walker discovered the Cumberland Gap - a relatively easy route through the mountains - countless explorers and settlers trekked through it.
Among the best-known was Daniel Boone, who in 1775 extended the path west by marking out Wilderness Road, which became the major route for American pioneers. By 1800, 200,000 settlers had used the road and today's visitors can follow their footsteps within the 20,200-acre Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
The Kentucky History Center in Frankfort provides an authentic picture of the state's heritage from prehistoric times through western expansion to the present day. This new state-of-the-art museum and research center employs hands-on exhibits, genuine artifacts, and special events to make history palpable. From survey notes penned by pioneer Daniel Boone as he helped map the new frontier to documents of early civil rights activists, this facility brings the past to life.
Horse fanciers who can't imagine a visit to Kentucky without paying their respects and perhaps placing a wager at one of its classic racing facilities will find history there as well. Churchill Downs in Louisville and the Keeneland Race Course in Lexington reflect centuries of legendary horse breeding, training, and competing.
Adjoining Churchill Downs is the Kentucky Derby Museum, the largest museum dedicated to the equine industry, newly reopened after a multi-million dollar renovation. A showcase for horse racing memorabilia, the museum's most popular attraction is its movie-in-the-round of a Derby run that puts the viewer in the center of the action.
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