By Auggie Brown
Glasgow News 1
The Frazier Kentucky History Museum is preparing to launch a traveling version of its “120: Cool KY Counties” exhibit this summer, bringing interactive local history from all 120 counties to communities across the state. The original “120: Cool KY Counties” opened in 2024 as a touchscreen exhibit at the Frazier Museum in downtown Louisville, featuring stories and songs from every county in Kentucky. Museum officials say the project highlights histories, legends, locations, songs and oral traditions curated at the local level.
Glasgow will be the first stop on the exhibit’s trek across the state. Coming to town with the Louisville Orchestra on Thursday, June 25, 2026. The exhibit includes sections on Diamond Caverns and even a song by Barren County native, Cousin Emmy, titled “Bowling Green“. The exhibit will run prior to the orchestra performance, which begins at 7:30pm.
Launching in summer 2026, “120: Cool KY Counties on the Road” is a mobile, sprinter-van exhibit designed to replicate the Frazier’s in-house experience for people who may not be able to travel to Louisville. The traveling exhibit will include touchscreens, photo opportunities, directed speakers, artifacts and facilitators to help visitors explore the interactive displays, according to the museum. Frazier staff will accompany the exhibit at every stop to guide guests, share community history and teach visitors how to preserve their own stories.
The museum says the exhibit will roll into every county and corner of the Commonwealth, making appearances at festivals, county fairs, concerts, fireworks shows, libraries and schools. Officials emphasize that while the project was created by the Frazier, it is focused on everyday Kentuckians and the stories that define their communities. They say the goal is to promote Kentucky pride, education, tourism, economic impact, collaboration and shared respect across diverse regions of the state. Through these partnerships, museum leaders believe “120: Cool KY Counties on the Road” can help bridge the urban-rural divide by highlighting both common ground and local distinctiveness.
Alongside the traveling exhibit, the Frazier plans to launch a “120: Cool KY Counties” curriculum that can be delivered in person or virtually to schools. Museum officials say they hope the curriculum will encourage students to explore their own local histories while recognizing the unique and “incredible stories” of every Kentucky county. They add that the broader project is built on the belief that each county has something valuable to share with the rest of Kentucky and beyond. The museum describes the initiative as a celebration of Kentucky’s culture and communities, aiming to show that “Kentucky is cool” and ready to share its stories with a wider audience.
Cousin Emmy’s song Bowling Green:
• Frazier Kentucky History Museum in Louisville launched “120: Cool KY Counties” as a touchscreen exhibit in 2024.
• A new traveling version, “120: Cool KY Counties on the Road,” is set to launch in summer 2026.
• The sprinter-van exhibit will visit festivals, fairs, concerts, fireworks shows, libraries, and schools in all 120 counties.
• The exhibit will feature touchscreens, artifacts, photo ops, directed speakers, and on-site Frazier staff.
• A related curriculum will be offered in person or virtually to schools across the state.
• Museum officials say the project aims to promote Kentucky pride, tourism, education, and collaboration while bridging the urban-rural divide.
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