Ancestral Trails Historical Society

Ancestral Trails Historical Society Ancestral Trails Historical Society, Inc. (ATHS) is a regional genealogical and historical society with a national membership. is a tax-exempt organization.

Ancestral Trails Historical Society had its beginnings in Radcliff, Kentucky on October 3, 1975. It was formed "to bring together persons who are researching history and genealogy and to share ideas, information, research methods, and practices. We work with local officials and other organizations to preserve cemeteries, historic buildings, public records and historical and/or genealogical collect

ions. Our focus is on the following ten Kentucky counties: Breckinridge, Bullitt, Edmonson, Grayson, Hardin, Hart, Jefferson, LaRue, Meade, Nelson and Harrison in Indiana. Historical or genealogy presentations are available to groups or organizations upon request. We welcome donations and will gladly furnish any donor with a receipt for tax purposes.

08/24/2026

REMINDER-;SAVE THE DATE

Date :ATHS September 4,2026

Everyone is welcome
POC: Marcia Barnes, 270-234-4541, [email protected]

Presenter: Faith Shacklett

Location: ECTC, Jim Owens building , room 112
Time: 7 PM EDT

Program :“Patriots, Pioneers, and Lawmen”

The Shacklett or Shacklette family have been patriots, pioneers, politicians, lawmen and religious leaders. The family has a long history of being driven by their faith and moral convictions. John Shacklett, the patriarch, served in the American Revolution his eldest son Benjamin, an early Hardin and Meade county politician and sheriff, and his youngest son Jesse being recorded as a War of 1812 “mounted spy” The Shacklett family has many stories to tell.

Faith Shacklett, graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2024, with a bachelors in history and social studies.Faith is currently a Graduate Student with the University of Kentucky's Library science program. Faith loves to spend her time studying genealogy and local history, particularly in the Civil War Era.

Hope to see you there.

On August 7, 2026, the Ancestral Trails Historical Society hosted a program at their monthly meeting on the history of t...
08/22/2026

On August 7, 2026, the Ancestral Trails Historical Society hosted a program at their monthly meeting on the history of the Masonic Organization and the Masonic House in Elizabethtown, Ky. Speaker Jeffry Richason, past Master, Secretary of the Morrison Lodge # 76 along with Monty Berry, Junior Deacon and Matthew Cousins, Master . The program pprovided historical information from the beginning of the Masonic organization, the history of the building housing the Masonic Lodge 76 which is located at 125 North Mulberry in Elizabethtown and goals of the present organization .Katy New, a member of the Eastern Starr organization, explained the history of the Eastern Starr and its association with the Masonic Organization. At the end of the meeting, Jeffry offered the audience an opportunity to tour the Masonic House on North Mulberry.

Picture # 1 Jeffery Richason , Secretary, past Master.
Picture # 2 left to right, Jeffery Richason, Secretary , Past Master, Katy New, Eastern Starr Member, Monty Berry, Junior Deacon, Matthew Cousins, Master of Morrison Lodge 76.

08/16/2026

Ancestral Trails Historical Society, Sept. 04 ,2026, ECTC, JSO Building room 112 , 7 pm EDT. Everyone welcome. Door prizes, light refreshments. The program will be presented by Faith Shacklett. The title of the program is The Shacklett or Shacklette family have been patriots, pioneers, politicians, lawmen and religious leaders. The family has a long history of being driven by their faith and moral convictions. John Shacklett, the patriarch, served in the American Revolution his eldest son Benjamin, an early Hardin and Meade county politician and sheriff, and his youngest son Jesse being recorded as a War of 1812 “mounted spy” The Shacklett family has many stories to tell.

Faith Shacklett, graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2024, with a bachelors in history and social studies. Faith is currently a Graduate Student with the University of Kentucky's Library science program. Faith loves to spend her time studying genealogy and local history, particularly in the Civil War Era.

08/14/2026

The movie Young Washington, the 2026 American historical war drama film is based on the early life of the founding father and first president of the United States is of great interests to historians... Reviews of the local people in our community have given it good and positive reviews.

Just a note , did you know that George Washington owned land in Grayson, County, Kentucky? In 1788 , he purchased 5000 acres on the southern border of Rough River, the land was the only property he owned in Kentucky acquired after being persuaded by his friend Henry Lee who owned the land at the time. This land was believed to be rich in iron ore, making it a valuable asset. Henry Lee was the father of Robert E. Lee.

Another hint regarding Community Conversations # 2Gravestone present in a small cemetery with others; however, the body...
08/11/2026

Another hint regarding Community Conversations # 2

Gravestone present in a small cemetery with others; however, the body is not buried there. Two bodies were moved to another location.
This graveyard is surrounded by a picket fence in edge of a field with a large tree growing up in the center of it. This person had 16 siblings. Who was it ? Where is the graveyard? You will soon learn the location.

08/03/2026

We hope to see you Friday, August 7th, for our monthly general meeting. The topic will be History of Elizabethtown Masonic Lodge / Masonic History. The program will be presented by Jeffrey Richason. This month we will meet at ECTC in the JSO Building, Room 112.

Doors open at 6:00 and the meeting begins at 7:00.

Light Refreshments

Door Prizes

Community and members are Invited!

07/28/2026

Saturday August 1, 2026 the ATHS library will be closed due to Cruising in the Heartland.

07/23/2026

Community Conversation:
Our upcoming event will be in September; it will be a very interesting free tour of a historical site... if you are interested in history this will be one of the rare opportunities to tour this facility at this time.

Here are some more hints, can you guess where we will be touring:

In 1930 this educational institution celebrated 100 years of serving the community educational for Hardin County and other surrounding counties.
Provided education for females only
Julia Greenwood and Mary Anne Greenwood , residents of Breckinridge County, graduated in 1862.

Put your thinking caps on.... upcoming date for tour in the next few hints...

07/13/2026

At our last” Community Conversations” several individuals who attended said, we love this, when is the next one!!! You asked for it, Ancestral Trails Historical Society is going to give you your wish!

So just to let you know, ATHS is having another “community Conversations” soon! Where ole where do you think it will be?
Hints:
built in 1818
on national registry
it has been a farm, a school, restaurant , bed and breakfast

More Hints to come in the future!!!

Ancestral Trails Historical Monthly MeetingSponsor: ATHS and Kentucky Humanities Organization Time: July 27th 715 PM EDT...
07/07/2026

Ancestral Trails Historical Monthly Meeting
Sponsor: ATHS and Kentucky Humanities Organization
Time: July 27th 715 PM EDT
Location: Brown Pusey House, 128 North Main Street, Elizabethtown,KY.
Speaker: Lisa Woods
Program: Mem’ries of a Coal Miner’s Daughter, 1932-2022
This program is presented by Lisa Woods, a Kentucky Chautauqua Speaker from the Kentucky Humanities Organization. This program is the results of a grant provided to ATHS and Hardin County Historical Society to celebrate America’s 250 birthday by the Kentucky Humanities.
Lisa will be dressed as Loretta, she provides a story telling the life of Loretta. Her story will cover Loretta’s childhood in Butcher Holler, Kentucky. Her marriage to Oliver or “Doolittle “who moved her across the country to Washington at the tender age of 15. In Washington, she began as a singer in modest venues with a borrowed guitar and bold determination.
Her first hit, “I’m a H***y Tonk Girl”, marked the beginning of a career defined by fearless storytelling. After relocating to Nashville, she joined the Grand Ole Opry and signed with Decca Records, becoming a household name. Loretta’s deeply personal songs gave voice to all working-class women and their everyday struggles—with themes that tackled marriage, motherhood, ambition and heartache.
Loretta never lost touch with her Appalachian roots, often returning to the tiny cabin of her youth. Her groundbreaking hit “Coal Miner’s Daughter” remains a defining anthem—not just of her life story, but of country music’s capacity to tell real stories that mattered.
The Hardin County Historical Society has meals catered to their meetings, if you are interested in purchasing a meal, Meal is $20 per person. Dinner starts at 6:30 pm, the program will begin 7:15 EDT. RSVP 270-369-7874.Payment expected that evening.

Address

Elizabethtown, KY
42702

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 2pm
Thursday 10am - 2pm
Friday 10am - 2pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

+12709820881

Website

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