Welcome to Jessamine County

The JCHS was organized by a group of folks determined to preserve the heritage and history of their county. There were 81 original charter members. Over the years that number has increased and decreased. Today the total number of members is ___, with ___ of those folks being from out of town. The current members are just as determined to preserve this county's heritage.

In recent years, some of the JCHS projects have included saving the Old January House where the Rev. John Shane interviewed Sarah January. It is one of the oldest stone houses in Kentucky. The January House was built in the late 1780s, at a time when the Indians were still in this area.

In 2000, the First Annual History Fest was hosted by the JCHS. More than 100 researchers came from all across the United States for three days. The members of the JCHS provided tours, access to records and a picnic at the restored High Bridge Park. Click for pictures.

In 2001 the 2nd Annual History Fest was hosted by the JCHS. This event was five days, with guest speakers from the Kentucky Historical Society, Woodford and Spencer county Historical Societies and numerous other organizations.

Members of the JCHS were instrumental in the passing of HB521 which is a cemetery preservation bill. Initially, a county ordinance was passed protecting Jessamine county's cemeteries. From that effort, HB521 was conceived and passed.

The Cemetery Project was born from the huge interest of JCHS members to save the old cemeteries. It is an ongoing effort to find, restore and maintain the old cemeteries of Jessamine county. Click for more.

Over the 4th of July in 2002, the JCHS sponsored a reenactment of the 1794 Fourth of July celebration held at Col. Price's residence. It was the first celebration west of the Alleganies. Col. Price invited 40 Revolutionary soldiers to his home for a picnic celebration. Over 100 people from all across the United States attended this event; the first of it's kind. Please click for pictures.