The Kentucky Historical Society announced its nine newly-elected members to the 2023 KHS Governing Board Thursday afternoon, two of which hail from west Kentucky.
Jennifer Brown will, once again, serve as president. An experienced and independent journalist, she has written extensively about local history — particularly African American history. She is the founder/editor of the Hoptown Chronicle, is a former editor of the Kentucky New Era, and has previously served in governing fashion for the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County. She resides in Hopkinsville and is a native of Memphis.
Brown has been on this board since 2013, and was first sworn in as its president Friday, November 5, 2021, by Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd. Presidents for this board serve one-year terms.
Ryan Craig will serve as a four-year member. A student media advisor at the University of Kentucky, he is the owner/operator/publisher of the Todd County Standard and has won more than 200 awards from the Kentucky Press Association in writing, photography and design. He has a special interest in legal history, the American Civil War, the ongoing debate on Kentucky’s categorization as a southern state, and intersection of Kentucky’s food, culture and music. He resides in Lexington and is a native of Hopkinsville.
Others on the board include First Vice President Cynthia Torp of Corydon, Indiana, Second Vice President Shelia Mason of Frankfort, Third Vice President Dr. Alicestyne Turley of Clay City, two-year term member Dee Alvin Davis III of Whitesburg, four-year term member Haley McCoy of Richmond, four-year term member Dr. David Childs of Cincinnati, and four-year term member Tommy Druen of Georgetown.
Brown, Craig and associates were elected by KHS membership during their recent annual meeting, and Brown and Craig have both long been serving in these stations.
Scott Alvey, executive director of KHS, writes that it was a “recent highlight” to swear in new officers and board members at the Old State Capitol in Frankfort.
The KHS serves as an agency arm for Kentucky’s Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet. Its campus has three sites in Frankfort: The Old State Capitol, the Kentucky Military History Museum, and the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. It is a Smithsonian affiliate and possesses full American Alliance of Museums accreditation.
