Kentucky: An American Story

Kentucky culture and history are rich, but not as well known as we might wish. Kentucky will benefit significantly by raising our historical literacy.

Kentucky - An American Story, a projected 3-hour documentary on Kentucky history and its parallels to that of the larger American experience, works to enhance state and national knowledge of Kentucky history. Led by UK historians Daniel Blake Smith, Ronald Eller, Kathi Kern, and Tracy Campbell, this project will produce three one-hour programs aimed at increasing Kentuckians' historical literacy as well as nationwide awareness. To be broadcast on Kentucky Educational Television, the programs will be accompanied by a companion volume and supported by teacher-training workshops and a permanent website with searchable databases designed to help stimulate student interest in history in general and Kentucky's past in particular.

Actions and Outcomes to Date

With help from the Gheens Foundation, Kentucky Electric Co-ops and the TVA, Kentucky Power, Jim Host, and the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet, much has been accomplished. Three one-hour scripts for television have been written; Academy Award-winning director Paul Wagner has agreed to produce and direct the film; Ashley Judd has agreed to host and narrate the project; and a 9-minute trailer/preview of the film has been created. (Visual clips are available at Kentucky - An American Story web site.)

The educational outreach component has grown into a very comprehensive and sophisticated part of the project with two interactive sites developed by Kathi Kern and Kathy Swan. The first is HSI—History Scene Investigator, modeled on the popular television series Crime Scene Investigation. It can be accessed at Historical Scene Investigation web site. The second is DDG—the Digital Directors Guild, showcasing student-made documentaries, at Digital Directors Guild web site.

Fund-raising is ongoing.