It is with regret that we announce the passing of Elizabeth Furr Duncan. She was born on May 26, 1919 and passed away on October 27, 2015 at the age of 96. Elizabeth was a long time member of the Wayne County Historical Society and volunteer at the Wayne County Museum. She was the wife …
From General
KENTUCKY LIVING “BEST IN KENTUCKY” AWARD.
KENTUCKY LIVING magazine recently named the Wayne County Museum as one of the best museums in the state. The local museum competed with some of the most prestigious museums in the commonwealth including the Corvette Museum, the Speed Art Museum, the Creation Museum, and the Mill Springs Battlefield Museum. The Wayne County Museum was named …
History of the Monticello-Burnside Stagecoach
From 1896 until 1915 a stagecoach ran from Monticello to Burnside, Kentucky. The improvement of roads in Wayne County provided an excellent opportunity for an enterprising businessman to begin a means of transportation that would allow the general public to travel in comfort! A route between Monticello and Burnside made it possible for the citizens …

‘Raccoon’ John Smith – Wayne County Kentucky Pioneer And Preacher
All serious Wayne County historians know that one of America’s greatest and most influential pioneer preachers made his home for many years in Wayne County. In the secluded section of Wayne County known as Horse Hollow (near Parmleysville) Elder John Smith labored on a hillside farm to provide a living for his family. Like many …

Dr Pylap Medekle – Wayne County Indian Herbalist
Any list of prominent Wayne County physicians includes names of “beloved physicians” that are spoken with great love and respect. Dr. Avington Simpson Cook was one of the first physicians to practice in Wayne County. It has been said of him: “A well remembered figure was Dr. A.S. Cook on his horse, riding to the …

Josephus Newton Davis – Dedicated Servant of God and Man
There is an admonition in Scripture that instructs us to give honor to whom honor is due and tribute to whom tribute is due. In a world that seems to be filled with people who are more concerned with themselves; giving honor and tribute to others is fast becoming a thing of the past. In …

Grace Dawes and the news from Spann Hill
THE NEWS FROM SPANN HILL “A Historical Look At A Wayne County Community” —Harlan Ogle Scattered throughout Wayne County, Kentucky are scores of small communities with names that are derived from family surnames, bodies of water, geographical landmarks, children, churches, schools, and many from unknown origins. Originally these communities were isolated from one another and …

Tree of Life Donor Program
After much planning, we have installed our “Tree Of Life” in the Museum Some years ago we visualized this great work of art in the lobby of the Museum. It would become the “perfect” way to recognize those who have generously given financial support to the Museum. Basically the “Tree Of Life” used leaves and …