The second floor is a new exhibit called Shelbyville Then and Now. This is a wonderful exhibit of Shelbyville from 1870 to the present. There are interpretive panels about businesses, banks, churches, schools, floods and fires. Also included is a timeline of important events during Shelbyville’s history. Beautiful photographs have been used to picture our community through the years. This exhibit is enhanced by audio and video technology, which will be enjoyed by many visitors. Many artifacts on display are examples from previous businesses and schools. Included are desks from the Science Hill School as well as the corbels from the First Christian Church, which burned in 1969. One life-size panel depicts the murder of General Denhardt on Main Street. 

The first floor of the Heritage Center has interpretive panels that focus on Shelby County. These depict the time thousands of years ago when prehistoric people lived, and the time when native peoples, such as the Shawnee, Cherokee and Chickasaw hunted on land now called Shelby County. The panels discuss the exploration and claiming of this land by Squire Boone and those exploring with him, the establishment of initial stations, until the time when Kentucky became a state in 1792. Arrow points and other artifacts from these times are displayed. The first floor also has two historic maps on display, one of Shelby County in 1872 and one of Shelbyville during that same time period.

Plan to spend time visiting this new exhibit which opens on May 21, 2009.

The museum committee is planning new exhibits that will depict the history of Shelby County. We welcome new members and new ideas. Contact us at  502-844-2277.