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 As America became a nation, Maysville became the threshold to a new continent.  Pioneers, Native Americans, soldiers, and slaves on their way to freedom all came here, and they left a heritage unmatched in our Commonwealth. 

At the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center, you’ll find detailed depictions of the region’s past and fascinating insights into the men and women who played their parts in its rich history—people like Daniel Boone, Simon Kenton and his wife Martha Dowden, Henry Clay, Tecumseh, and many others.

Permanent exhibits bring the whole history of the region to life, but the museum is home to more artifacts, documents, and materials than can be displayed at any one time.  Like our country, the exhibits here are always changing—there’s always something new and exciting to see.

The Museum Center also plays host to local collectors and traveling programs.  Whether you’re interested in history, art, or the everyday life of an extraordinary community, you’ll find it here.  Plan on visiting often to see the latest show. 

Fantasy comes to life at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center!  Coordinated with the release of the sixth Harry Potter movie, KGMC’s miniatures curator, Kaye Browning, is pleased to announce we now have on display a representation of Diagon Alley, which was where Harry, Ron and Hermione bought their school supplies in the Harry Potter books and movies.

Mrs. Browning admits that she had never read Harry Potter or seen the movies until now.  “In the gallery I have tended to deal with realism, and for the first time I have been exposed to a different reality through the Diagon Alley miniature, I think it makes the fantasy world come alive.  This is truly exciting and I never dreamed that Harry Potter would be something to appeal to all ages”.  Mrs. Browning just recently saw her first Harry Potter movie and now is “hooked” on the Potter phenomenon.  “I think that this exhibit will draw in the young and old alike and look forward to exploring more of Harry’s world”. 

 

Diagon Alley shops in miniature are an interpretation by Bill Langford and was restored by Linda Young.  The Harry Potter and Dumbledore dolls are the creation of Cat Wingler with the other characters made by Mary Kinloch.

 

Diagon Alley is on display in the lobby of the museum.  The museum is open on Tuesday through Friday from 10 until 5, Saturday from 10 until 4 and on Sunday from 1 until 4

RUSSELL THEATER MINIATURE

ON DISPLAY

 

After almost a two year wait, the Russell Theater miniature is now on display in the KSB Miniature Gallery.  Steve Jedd and Allison Ashby finished the installation on March 11^th as an appreciative audience watched it slowly be put together and the lights turned on. 

 

This is the first miniature in the collection where the general public was invited to have a personal hand in constructing.  Many of the 11,000 bricks in the façade were purchased and engraved by anyone who wanted to commemorate the memory of someone or honor their lives.  Half of the money raised from this activity went to the Russell Theater restoration committee and the other half will be used by the museum for operational expenses.  The miniature of the Russell joins two other Maysville miniatures, the Cox Building and the Bethel Baptist Church. 

 

Ashby and Jedd’s attention to detail included researching and hanging movie posters of shows that played at the Russell the same year Rosemary Clooney premiered her movie, “The Stars Are Singing” at the theater.  There is even an empty coke glass in the ticket booth which leads you to believe the ticket seller had just finished her drink and stepped out for a minute.  Each detail was meticulously researched and reproduced from the tiles on the floor to the placement of the decorative plaques and drain pipe from the theater marquee. 

 

Now that the exterior of the theater is finished, Ashby and Jedd will concentrate on the interior of the theater which should complete the project.  They predict the interior will also take two years before it is finished to their exacting standards.  Once completed the Russell interior will take its place next to the exterior, both a reminder of the hay day of local movie houses and all their opulence.  Click here to watch!

 

“BASKETBALL HALL OF MEMORIES” EXHIBIT OPENS AGAIN AT KGMC

A new exhibit at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center opened just in time for “March Madness”.  Due to its popularity, we will open the exhibit again on June 4th.  The “Basketball Hall of Memories” exhibit features photographs, uniforms, pennants and other memorabilia from area high schools that date back to 1916.  There are even videos of Mason County basketball games.  Mason, Bracken and Fleming counties are represented in the exhibit.  May’s Lick, Muse’s Mill, Minerva, Washington, Maysville, St. Patrick and Mason County graduates can see items from their schools in the exhibit. 

The guest curators of the exhibit are Danny Weddle and Duane Faris.  "I could not have done this exhibit without their expert help and the loan of materials from private collections", said Sue Ellen Grannis, museum curator.  "It is amazing how many teams from this region won state tournaments, both the boys' and the girls' teams.  We even have information on the parties held by Clyde Barbour at the state tournament.  Going to state was worth it just to go to his lavish parties," Mrs. Grannis added.  

The exhibit can be seen during the museum's regular operating hours:  Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.