ASHLAND HENRY CLAY ESTATE – Lexington, KY

In this segment, we learn about one of Kentucky’s most famous politicians, Henry Clay, as we take a journey to Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate! This property is maintained by the Henry Clay Memorial Foundation, which is a nonprofit that is responsible for preserving Ashland as a national historic landmark. The foundation was founded in 1926.

“I am in one respect better off than Moses. He died in sight of, without reaching, the Promised Land. I occupy as good a farm as any that he would have found, if he had reached it; & it has been acquired not by hereditary descent, but by my own labor.” – Henry Clay.

This estate was a place Henry Clay held very close to his heart and brought him much happiness. On a tour of this landmark you can learn about Henry Clay and his accomplishments as a statesman, attorney, and farmer as well as take in the sights of this beautiful landmark and hopefully experience the same emotions the beauty gave Clay.

At this landmark there are many different exhibits showing what he accomplished in life, and exhibits about his legacy after death including the three US war ships named after him and his estate. The mansion also hosts an exhibit about how the Civil War affected the estate. The largest battle in Lexington was actually fought on the land of the mansion, so there’s quite an interesting narrative to be shared about that during this episode of kNOwMORE!

This episode is sponsored by Ohio County Tourism.

RADIO EYE – Lexington, KY

In this segment we will learn about Radio Eye in Lexington! Radio Eye is a service that provides the news and other materials to individuals with disabilities.  This nonprofit has volunteers read newspapers, books, and even grocery ads so these people can regain a sense of normalcy and independence in their lives.

First airing in 1990, this organization has seen tremendous growth in many ways including their audience, the articles they read, and even the ways they broadcast their readings! Radio Eye now serves over 50 counties including 5 in Indiana! They also have expanded the ways people are able to listen to the news including the original Sub-carrier authorization frequencies on the radio, on their website, telephone news line, and also on a television broadcast.

This organization is extremely important to so many people who are coping with any number of disabilities that affect their ability to read. This service allows these people to regain some independence and to feel more connected with the community around them. Something as small as knowing what deals there are in the stores can make a huge impact on a person’s life. It’s the little things that make the largest differences. To learn more, visit their site at radioeye.org

This episode of kNOwMORE is sponsored by Kosair Charities!

CHILDREN’S PLAYHOUSE PROGRAM – Louisville, KY

The children’s playhouse program in Louisville is an organization that helps create a disabled child’s dream playhouse. These aren’t just any regular playhouses though, these playhouses help the children with their mental, physical, and social development therapies! The playhouses help to bring joy into an often very difficult and aggravating life for these children.

Each house is customized to each different child. The family works closely with a design team to make a playhouse that is just what the child wants and is able to be used with their disabilities. This program is important because it allows these children to play just like a child without their disability, and helps them feel included with their peers.

Each time a playhouse is unveiled, you can see the joy in the child’s eyes when they see it for the first time. This nonprofit serves multiple purposes as well by giving students at YouthBuild Louisville hands on experience with designing and building. Having a playhouse helps ease the stress on the parents by seeing their children have fun. Fun is essential for a child, and this nonprofit provides that despite the challenges created by their disabilities.

This episode is sponsored by Kosair Charities, Building Industry Charitable Foundation, and BIA Louisville.

BEHRINGER-CRAWFORD MUSEUM – Covington, KY

“The regional history of Northern Kentucky as part of the Ohio Valley must be preserved for the benefit of present & future generations. Therefore, the Behringer-Crawford Museum is a center for the collection, presentation, study and enjoyment of our natural, cultural, and visual and performing arts heritage.”

The Behringer-Crawford Museum originally opened in 1950 to teach about the life and experiences of William Behringer. The Museum eventually became known as the Behringer-Crawford Museum after the first curator, Ellis Crawford, sponsored digs that discovered many ancient bones in the local Big Bone Springs. Since then, the museum has grown to include a wide range of exhibits.

The museum has displays that vary from archaeology to civil war history and everything in-between. The museum offers attractions like “Kentucky”, a retired Northern Kentucky streetcar with many stories to tell, or you can go on an archaeological dig in their “Digging for Answers” exhibit. In the 1990s, the museum added an amphitheater to hold a weekly concert for two months out of the year, and other events for entertainment. Behringer-Crawford also offers a series of rotating exhibits throughout the year, so there is always something new to learn about!

This episode is sponsored by Ohio County Tourism.

BIRTHPLACE of BILL MONROE – Rosine, KY

Jerusalem Ridge is the birthplace of Bill Monroe. During his time living in a cabin on this land, Bill created Bluegrass music. His trials and hard work farming and logging helped shape Bill’s youth. Combine his work with his different sensory experiences with nature and that’s what gave him the inspiration to create Bluegrass music.

His parents had both passed by the time he was 16 and he was soon the only brother of eight to stay in Kentucky. During that time Bill did the majority of his musical formation and growth while living with Uncle Pen and his fiddle. Growing up around his great musical influence of an uncle, he soon began forming different bands and found himself playing for large audiences such as the Grand Ole Opry radio show!

After a long career of touring, Mr. Monroe formed his very own music festival in Indiana. Soon after that he began to win awards such as being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and a Lifetime Achievement award just to name a few of his achievements over the years. Bill eventually passed due to a stroke in 1996. He was finally laid to rest close to the place he was born.

This episode is sponsored by Ohio County Tourism.

KIDS CENTER – Louisville, KY

Many children all over the world have disabilities that create difficult challenges in their everyday lives. The Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies attempts to help these children realize and achieve their full potential. The Kids Center was founded in 1958 to provide children with disabilities the assistance they need. The center offers physical, occupational, and speech therapies to help these children.

The disabilities that the center sees vary from a wide range of diagnoses including Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and even stuttering! The way the center tackles these disabilities is through play! Playing is, after all, how a child does a significant portion of their learning. Doing therapy through play helps keep the kids engaged and provides the patients with a childhood necessity… FUN!

This Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies is always encouraging other people to take a tour of the facilities and let the work show for itself. When you see how the therapists engage the children and the families, it’s clear to see that this nonprofit cares deeply about these kids. The employees will laugh with the patients on their good days, and cry with them on their worst. When you watch these kids in action, it will show you just how important and effective these therapies are. Seeing these kids achieve their full potential and having fun overcoming their challenges is a truly priceless sight. To learn more, visit their site: http://www.kidscenterky.org/