LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The early exploration of Kentucky and American excitement about western expansion will be topics of a talk Thursday, Oct. 2, at the University of Louisville’s Ekstrom Library. The program will help launch “Views of Early Kentucky,” an exhibit of rare books and maps that will run Oct. 1 through Nov. 30 at the library.
In her talk, U of L history instructor Jami Allen will connect exploration of Kentucky and westward expansion with the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803-06. “Views of Early Kentucky” will honor the expedition and is set to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the month in which the Corps of Volunteers for Northwest Discovery left the banks of the Ohio River.
The exhibit and talk, Allen said, will help people understand the historical importance of Kentucky and the significant contribution the Falls of the Ohio region lent to the expedition.
The exhibit will include a dozen rare books from the U of L libraries’ collections, including:
- Meriwether Lewis’ 1809 account of the expedition
- John Filson’s “The Discovery, Settlement, and Present State of Kentucky” (1793)
- Henry McMurtie’s “Sketches of Louisville” (1819)
- Samuel Metcalfe’s “A collection of some of the most interesting narratives of Indian warfare in the West, containing an account of the adventures of Colonel Daniel Boone” (1821)
- Rare maps made during the exploration and early statehood of Kentucky.
The gallery talk and reception are free and open to the public. The exhibit also is free and open to the public during library hours (Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-midnight; Friday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon – midnight.)