[SPRING 2012] historic locust grove GROVE GAZETTE Locust Grove Receives National Recognition for Excellence istoric Locust Grove has earned renewed Haccreditation from the American Association of Museums (AAM). Locust Grove is one of fewer than 5 percent of American museums to meet the association’s high National Standards and Best Practices. AAM Accreditation first was awarded to Locust Grove in 2000. “By achieving re-accreditation, Historic Locust experience for visitors to this historic home,” Requirements for Accreditation Grove has again proven it is, simply, one of the says Mayor Fischer. from American Association of finest museums in America — providing invaluable Kentucky’s District 3 U.S. Congressman John Museums educational and cultural service to the people of Yarmuth cites this accreditation as a major honor Louisville and the nation,” says AAM President Since 1906, the American for Locust Grove. “It is yet another affirmation that Ford W. Bell. Association of Museums (AAM) these historic grounds represent more than just an has been bringing museums Locust Grove is one of only five museums in interesting past, but also a promising future,” says together — helping to develop Kentucky to achieve this recognition, and is Congressman Yarmuth. “In its educational and standards and best practices, the only one of these to hold the distinction of cultural offerings, Locust Grove proves itself at gathering and sharing knowledge, being a National Historic Landmark. The other home among America’s top museums.” and providing advocacy on AAM-accredited organizations in Kentucky are issues of concern to the entire the Speed Art Museum, the Kentucky Historical HLG Board President Gwynne Potts adds, museum community. With more Society, the Louisville Zoo, and the University of “Historic Locust Grove is proud to be recognized than 18,000 individual, 3,000 Kentucky Art Museum. again as one of America’s excellent mueums. Our institutional and 300 corporate work as managers of William Croghan’s Locust members, AAM is dedicated to Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer believes that Grove is focused upon the expression of the ensuring that museums remain Locust Grove is one of Louisville’s historical professional standards associated with the AAM. a vital part of the American treasures. “This important designation certainly landscape, connecting people We remain dedicated to both the interpretation affirms the tremendous effort and dedication with the greatest achievements of American history and the stewardship of this that goes not only into preserving and protecting of the human experience — past, National Historic Landmark museum.” Locust Grove, but also in providing a high quality present and future. To receive accreditation, a Rigorous Accreditation Process Takes Several Years museum must prove its American Association of Museums meet the same standards. response to additional questions excellence in these nine major areas of operation: (AAM) accreditation is earned (See sidebar.) and concerns. Several months through a rigorous process of later, at the AAM’s accreditation • Public Trust & Accountability “Our Board, volunteers, and meeting in March, we received self-examination, peer review, staff worked together during the • Community Engagement our re-accreditation. and professional assessment. self-study period to bring our • Diversity and Inclusiveness Locust Grove began several years operations up to 21st-century “We look forward now to fulfilling • Mission and Planning expectations in areas from the promise that this honor ago to review every aspect of • Leadership and Organizational operations in light of the latest collections storage to security to represents,” adds Dr. Ely. “We interpretive programs,” will continue striving to bring Structure professional standards and best says HLG Executive Director the excitement of our nation’s Collections Stewardship practices for museums in America. • Dr. Carol Ely. “Last spring, a history to the public in new ways, All museums — from large • Education and Interpretation team of peer reviewers visited. evolving as the world changes, museums of art to the smallest Financial Stability After their report was reviewed and serving this community’s • county historical society — must by the AAM, we submitted a heritage for many years to come.” • Facilities and Risk Management [SPRING 2012] CALENDAR Grove Gazette is published quarterly by Historic Locust Grove, Inc. for members, volunteers and supporters of Historic Locust Grove. © 2012 561 Blankenbaker Lane (502) 897-9845 Louisville, KY 40207 (502) 896-2433 www.locustgrove.org First Wednesday Lecture Series The mission of Historic Locust Grove, Inc. is to preserve Director’s Letter Carol Ely, Ph.D., Executive Director – Historic Locust Grove and interpret the 55-acre site, with its circa 1790 house and out-buildings, the collection, and the gardens, as an Our lecture series this year offers a variety example of early 19th century frontier America. Locust Grove recently received two very special gifts. The first is a fine miniature portrait of interesting speakers and unusual topics It is also our mission to share the stories of the many of George Croghan, the second son of William and Lucy. The miniature was the gift of a that relate to the lives of the Croghans, people who contributed to the history of Locust Grove, Summer Antiques Market emphasizing the life of General George Rogers Clark, descendent of the family who still resides in California, where George’s Clarks, and the region. Lectures are held Revolutionary War hero and founder of the wife Serena relocated during the Gold Rush era. on the first Wednesday of each month, city of Louisville. Discover Books Series Summer Antiques Market . except for January and May. Desserts and BOARD OF DIRECTORS In excellent condition, the portrait shows a man who has aged Locust Grove’s new “Discover Books” series Executive Committee Sunday, JuNE 24, 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM beverages are served at 1:00 p.m., with the slightly since the time of his full-sized portrait that hangs in is for those who find the lure of another Gwynne Potts, President This is the first of two semi-annual Antiques lecture immediately following. Admission is Locust Grove’s parlor. He is paler, with red-gray hair in place new book irresistible…who would like to John Rippy, VP Markets at Locust Grove. Professional $5, or $3 for Friends of Locust Grove. Lee W. Robinson, VP of the dark curls of the earlier image. His eyes are a nearly learn more about local authors and their dealers from the South and Midwest will be Susan Reigler, Secretary works… and who just love to read. Discover Chris Green, Treasurer translucent gold instead of the brown that we expected. displaying their wares. The show features The Discovery of Jeanne Baret Books events are held in the Visitors’ Center Directors at Large But the features are familiar. The artist is currently formal furniture, books, textiles, jewelry, Wednesday, Kate Boyer Audubon Room and silver. Admission is $6 ($3 for children unknown, though we hope that research will uncover JuNE 6, 1:00 PM Jeanne Burke some possibilities. Saving Kentucky 6-12). Admission includes tours of the historic Joy Gleason Carew The first woman Laurie Diebold house museum. Concessions are available. Gray Friedberg Isaacs Col. George Croghan has been in our thoughts lately as WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 7:00 PM Proceeds support the continued operation and to circumnavigate Patricia K. Klinck we plan our War of 1812 commemoration around his war Local author Sally Van Winkle Campbell preservation of Historic Locust Grove. the globe did so Hunter Louis presents and signs her book, Saving disguised as a man. George Plager service at the battle of Fort Stephenson in 1813. George is Independence Day Sharon Receveur also the subject of an independent film now being shot in Kentucky, which focuses on Kentucky’s Join University of Jim Richardson at Locust Grove Louisville professor and around Locust Grove and other sites of early 19th culture and heritage. Featured in the book are Claudia Runge Glynis Ridley to Nancy Stablein century Kentucky. (See story on page 4.) Kenny’s Cheeses and the Smith-Berry Winery, Wednesday, JulY 4, 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM Lori Stahlgren both of which will have a wine- and learn about how, in Free to the public all day Diane Statler Second, we are excited to receive a document signed in 1789 by cheese-tasting for this event. Copies of 1766, Frenchwoman Liz Swearingen-Edens Jeanne Baret worked B. Preston Thomas, M.D. both William Croghan and George Rogers Clark. It is a land grant Saving Kentucky will be available for Members Ex-Officio indenture for a parcel granted to William Harrod in Clark County, purchase and autographing. Admission: $5 per as an assistant to the expedition botanist on Nina Ayers (Volunteer Steering) Indiana. This original deed grants 500 acres of land on the north bank of person; free for Friends of Locust Grove. the Comte de Bougainville’s expedition around John Hamilton (Metro Parks) the world. Dr. Ridley will discuss the life of this the Ohio River as a reward for military service. This land was part of the 150,000 acres of Richard Jett (Metro Preservation) remarkable woman and explain the process of land rewarded to General Clark and his regiment, the Illinois Regiment of Virginia, by the Book Arts Day Workshop Directors Emeriti reconstructing what really happened on the Doris M. Berry Commonwealth of Virginia for their service during the American Revolution. SAturday, JuNE 23, Roberta Dickson voyage. Her book will be available for purchase Shirley R. Dumesnil 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM and autographing. LaMar Gaston This document is a gift to Locust Grove from members of the present-day Illinois Regiment Last year’s Downey M. Gray III of Virginia military re-enactors — who are our partners in our annual 18th Century Thunder Why Quilts Matter: Mary Hancock (April) and 18th Century Market Fair (October) events.