Digital Exhibits
Digital exhibits allow Civil War Governors of Kentucky (CWGK) staff the opportunity to dig deeper into a particular story found within the edition.
About the Exhibits
In these exhibits, the team expands on the documents to provide a broader narrative and context as a different means of engaging with CWGK’s materials. Future exhibits will also connect CWGK documents with artifacts and collections from the Kentucky Historical Society to fully articulate the story.
The digital exhibits’ themes are extensive, covering topics like emancipation, mental health, and information about nineteenth century legal documents. Like person, place, and organizational biographies, digital exhibits help users learn more about the Civil War era in Kentucky.
The Caroline Chronicles
The Caroline Chronicles, one of CWGK’s early exhibits traces the experiences of Caroline Dement, a woman enslaved in Tennessee. In the summer of 1862, Caroline followed the Army of the Ohio back to Kentucky as Federal troops rushed to defend Louisville and Kentucky from Confederate invasion. Caroline’s story illustrates the labyrinth of slavery, fugitive slave law, and death on the border between freedom and slavery.
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"Where I Now Stand:" The Trials of Robert Buffum
Civil War violence impacted combatants on several levels. Veterans struggled with war trauma long after the guns stopped firing. “Where I Now Stand:” the Trials of Robert Buffam, a Medal of Honor winning soldier from New York, highlights Civil War veterans’ mental struggles and allows CWGK to confront the trauma and impact of the war on ordinary individuals.
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Duly Sworn: A Guide to 19th Century Legal Documents
CWGK is an archive rich with various types of legal documents, from affidavits to long-winded petitions. Duly Sworn highlights the various types of legal documents contained within CWGK, providing users with information about the legal landscape of Civil War Kentucky.