Tales From The Kentucky Room

Kevin Lane Dearinger joins us again to talk about his new book, a beautifully put together scrapbook of photos and history of The Opera House. David asks him about the early history of the theater building, and Lexington’s history as a theater town and regional cultural hub. At the Lexington Opera House: a Scrapbook 1887-2026 by Kevin Lane Dearinger is available for checkout and for purchase from your favorite bookstore.

Dr. Elizabeth DeWolfe joins us by phone from Maine to discuss her book Alias Agnes: The Notorious Tale of a Guilded Age Spy with David. Alias Agnes is a narrative non-fiction exploring the role of Jane Armstrong Tucker, alias Agnes Parker, and her undercover role in the lawsuit brought by Madeleine Pollard against William C. P. Breckinridge. David and Dr. DeWolfe discuss the backgrounds of both women, how they differed, the results of the trial and how they went about their lives when the trial was over. Alias Agnes details the story of Jane Tucker, who took a job as an undercover detective with a ten-week mission. Her target: Madeleine Pollard, former mistress of Congressman William C. P. Breckinridge, whom she had sued for breach of promise when he failed to marry her. Exploring the intricacies of this trial and a scandal that captivated the nation, author Elizabeth A. DeWolfe demonstrates that a shared lack of power did not always lead to alliances among women. DeWolfe uncovers the strategies women used to

David sits down with Sarah Hubbard, Kentucky Room Manager to talk about exciting updates to the Kentucky Room’s online digital archive. They discuss how to use the archive, and what Sarah’s favorite items in the collection are, plus some upcoming events in the Kentucky Room for 2026.

David sits down with Adam Lewis, local architecture photographer and archivist, to discuss Adam’s popular Instagram account: Southern Country Goodfellow (@southern_country_goodfellow on Instagram). They discuss Adam’s inspiration to start the account, his love of architecture, and how he finds homes to photograph. Adam tells us about his future plans for his photography, and how to get in touch with him if you would like to have your home featured on Southern Country Goodfellow.

David sits down with Dr. Jennifer Cramer, Director of the Appalachian Studies Program at the University of Kentucky and a Professor in the department of Linguistics to talk about the myths and realities of Appalachian Englishes. They talk about her research into dialects in Kentucky and Appalachia and how Appalachian English dialects are similar and different from other American English dialects, and how that influences the ways people think about the region. They also discuss her work with the Kentucky Humanities Council and participation in the Speakers Bureau, a program that provides high-quality speakers to libraries and other non-profits.Thank you for joining us on Tales from the Kentucky Room this year!

David sits down with local historian Dr. Jeremy Popkin and local photographer Bob Willcutt about their collaboration on Gratz Park: The Heart of Historic Lexington, a gorgeously photographed book about the history of Lexington’s Gratz Park. They discuss their inspirations, research sources, and their favorite stories of the park, including how it became a public park.Gratz Park: The Heart of Historic Lexington is available for checkout from the library and for purchase at your favorite bookstore or Willcutt Guitars in Lexington.

Coming to you from the library’s new podcast studio at Northside Branch, David chats with Wes Swietek, managing editor of the Bowling Green Daily News newspaper and author of The Cemetery Road Murders: The Shocking True Tale of Kentucky’s Murder Mansion, about his research into the double murder case featured in the book. Wes gives us an overview of the case and some of his thoughts about the outcomes of the trials, as well as what got him first interested in the house called Murder Mansion. The Cemetery Road Murders is available for checkout from the Library and for purchase at your favorite bookstore or from the publisher’s website.This episode does describe the particulars of the murder and 1940s-era homophobia, so some listener discretion is advised.

David sits down with Wayne to discuss Wayne’s top list of sports highlights, events and personalities to celebrate sports month during Lexington's 250Lex 250th anniversary celebration. This episode is Wayne's last episode before his retirement in February 2025. 

David sits down with Chad Walker, owner of much of the Warehouse Block, and Erica Friis, a historic preservationist and host of the podcasts “The Lexington Podcast” and “Inside the Block” to talk about the history and revitalization of Lexington’s Warehouse Block. The block along National Avenue now hosts many restaurants and local businesses.

David sits down with Wayne to discuss Wayne’s list of notable people in Lexington's history. This year, 2025, is Lexington, Kentucky’s 250th anniversary, and there are many events around the city to celebrate. As part of the celebrations, Wayne put together lists of the 250 most important events and people, and he’s selected a few people on the list to share with us today.

David sits down with Josh Porter, Assistant Executive Director of Lexington’s Faulkner Morgan Archive to discuss the exhibit “Queer, Here, & Everywhere” displayed at the Central Library until June 26, 2025. They discuss the research that went into the exhibit and future plans to add panels to the exhibit. The exhibit will be at the Lexington Pride Festival on Saturday June 28, and then will move to the Lexington History Museum in August 2025.Josh Porter is an art historian and curator based in Lexington, Kentucky. In 2023, Josh received his MFA in Curatorial Studies from the University of Kentucky. Born in Eastern Kentucky, Josh brings a unique perspective to the archive in viewing Kentucky’s LGBTQ history through the lens of art, particularly photography. His writing, design, and photography has appeared in Oxford American, Brooklyn Rail, Art In America, Queer Kentucky, UnderMain, and elsewhere.Queer, Here, & Everywhere: The Roots of Kentucky’s LGBTQ History is the first comprehensive exhibition of L

It’s Tales from the Kentucky Room’s 100th Episode! Celebrate with us as David speaks with local realtor and historian Zach Davis about early cemeteries in Lexington, Kentucky. They talk about pioneer graveyards, the Maxwell burying ground, Cove Haven Cemetery, Forest Hill Cemetery, First Hill cemetery and many others. They also discuss the fascination with cemeteries as destinations and as the precursors to city parks.

Retired attorney, former President of the Lafayette chapter of the Sons of the Revolution, and all around General Lafayette expert Dale Henley sits down with David to talk about the Marquis de Lafayette and his visit to Lexington in 1825. They talk about Lafayette’s background, from joining the Musketeers at the age of thirteen to defying the French King and sailing to the American colonies to advance the cause of liberty at just nineteen years old. Dale shares book recommendations for learning more about Lafayette’s role in the Revolutionary War, his abolitionist views, and his 1825 visit on the invitation of President Monroe. He also tells us about the events in Lexington in May 2025 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s visit.The opening music for this episode is the “Brandywine Quickstep” named for Brandywine, Pennsylvania where Lafayette took part in his first battle of the revolution and was subsequently wounded. The recording is by the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and is

David sits down with Erin Chandler over video call to discuss her new true crime memoir, Bluegrass Sons. They discuss her childhood in Las Vegas, her relationship with her uncle Bradley Bryant, and her reasons for writing the book. Erin also reads an excerpt from her book. Bluegrass Sons is available for checkout from the library and for purchase from Erin's website.Bluegrass Sons is a true crime family saga set between Lexington, Kentucky, and the desert days and gaudy nights of 1970s Las Vegas, Nevada, with a little El Paso, Guatemala, and Savannah thrown in. The story is about Bradley Bryant, a United States Marine who lived a double life. The FBI labeled him "a one-man crime wave" responsible for the largest gun-running, drug-smuggling network in the United States. His family considered him their rock, his mother's favorite, and a successful Philadelphia businessman. For the first time in forty years, Brad Bryant tells his truth, recording hours of conversations with his niece, Erin Chandler. Bluegrass So

David and Wayne discuss their memories of the winter storm that brought Kentucky to a standstill on January 17, 1994. They talk about the city and state’s response, the extremely low temperatures, and how that storm compares to the storms from January and February 2025.

David sits down with Wayne to discuss Wayne’s top ten list of historical events in Lexington. This year, 2025, is Lexington, Kentucky’s 250th anniversary, and there are many events around the city to celebrate. As part of the celebrations, Wayne put together lists of the 250 most important events and people, and he’s selected ten to discuss with us today. Wayne's list of ten influential people will be featured in a later episode.

On this episode, Jamie West tells us about a scandal in 1882 with the Lexington City Physician. J.C. Harpham, as city physician, was required to attend the patients living in the smallpox hospital on the outskirts of town. It quickly came out that he was, in fact, only pretending to go visit the patients. He was replaced immediately, and he and his family left Lexington under a cloud of scandal.The research for this episode was done by Sarah Hubbard, Kentucky Room Manager.

Freda Meriwether joins us for a remembrance of her father and his struggle with alcoholism. Freda Meriwether loves God, her husband, her children and grandchildren and spending time with them either at their sport events or family get togethers. She looks forward to traveling to Maysville once a week to care for her elderly mother. Enjoying life is the highlight of her day.Theme song "Appalachian Lofi" composed and performed by Bryan Klausing and Christine Cole.

This episode discusses a murder, listener's discretion is advised. Mariam and Wayne sit down to discuss a murder mystery that captivated Lexington and the surrounding area for almost 30 years. The Tent Girl. More Who-Is-It? than Who-Dun-It? when she was found in 1968, the city of Georgetown adopted the girl in the tarp, placing a headstone on her grave with her description and the police sketch of her face. Wayne talks about the difficulties behind her identification, and how one man’s dedication eventually solved the mystery of her identity. 

Jerry Meriweather joins us this Veteran’s Day with a remembrance of his Honor Flight. A proud husband, father and grandfather. Jerry loves God. He is a Deacon at Shiloh Baptist Church. Jerry served in the US army. He is also currently the Co-Commander of the National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETS) Chapter 23. This organization advocates for veterans and their families assisting in filing claims and educating them on benefits theyshould be receiving.Theme song "Appalachian Lofi" composed and performed by Bryan Klausing and Christine Cole.