Kentucky History Podcast

In Part 2, Gwen Thompson returns to discuss Mary Todd Lincoln’s life as First Lady, her personal struggles, and the lasting impact of her legacy. We examine her time in the White House during the Civil War, her profound grief after the loss of family members and President Lincoln, and the controversies that surrounded her in the public eye.

Gwen provides expert insight into how Mary Todd Lincoln’s Kentucky roots, political instincts, and personal resilience helped shape her role in one of the most turbulent eras in American history.

https://www.mtlhouse.org/

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In Part 1 of our special two-part series, Gwen Thompson, Executive Director of the Mary Todd Lincoln House, joins us to explore the early life of Mary Todd Lincoln in Lexington, Kentucky. From her upbringing in a prominent and politically connected family to the cultural and social influences that shaped her worldview, this episode offers a fascinating look at the formative years of one of America's most complex First Ladies.

We delve into Mary’s education, her family’s stance on slavery, and the vibrant atmosphere of Lexington in the early 19th century—a place that profoundly influenced her later life in the White House.

https://www.mtlhouse.org/

https://linktr.ee/Kyhistorypod

In part two, we turn our attention to the deeply personal story of Dinah, a pregnant enslaved woman caught up in the Greenup Slave Revolt. With Professor Andrew Feight and Marlitta Perkins, we explore her life, her choices, and the extraordinary circumstances she faced during one of the most dangerous uprisings in Kentucky history.

Dinah’s story brings the human cost of slavery into sharp focus and reminds us of the resilience and humanity of those too often forgotten. Through her story, we better understand the lived experiences of enslaved women and how their courage shaped the fight for freedom.

Our Links: https://linktr.ee/Kyhistorypod

In this first part of our two-part series, Professor Andrew Feight and Marlitta Perkins join the Kentucky History Podcast to tell the dramatic story of the Greenup Slave Revolt. This powerful but often overlooked event highlights the courage of enslaved Kentuckians who risked everything in pursuit of freedom along the Ohio River.

We’ll uncover the revolt’s origins, what drove the enslaved to rise up, and how the dramatic confrontation unfolded in Greenup County. Their story not only sheds light on Kentucky’s place in the history of slavery but also connects to the larger narrative of resistance and survival across America.

Our Links: https://linktr.ee/Kyhistorypod

In part two, Professor Doug Cantrell returns to discuss Cassius Clay’s political career, his diplomatic service under President Abraham Lincoln, and his lasting legacy as a progressive voice in a conservative time. From defending emancipation to serving as Ambassador to Russia, Clay’s fearless pursuit of justice took him far beyond Kentucky.

Our Links: https://linktr.ee/Kyhistorypod

In this episode, we dive into the early life and rise of Cassius Marcellus Clay, one of Kentucky’s most controversial and influential figures. Guest Professor Doug Cantrell joins us to explore Clay’s privileged upbringing, his education at Yale, and the ideological transformation that led him to become a staunch emancipationist in a deeply divided state.

Our Links: https://linktr.ee/Kyhistorypod

In this final installment of our three-part series on Alexander Keene Richards, we explore the lasting legacy of one of Kentucky’s most visionary horsemen. Author Gary A. O'Dell helps us reflect on how Richards’ bold efforts to revive the American Thoroughbred through Arabian and English bloodlines continue to influence modern horse racing.

Gary's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Reinventing-American-Thoroughbred-Adventures-Alexander/dp/0807183695

https://linktr.ee/Kyhistorypod

In Part 2, we continue the fascinating tale of Alexander Keene Richards and turn to his second journey in 1855, accompanied by famed equine artist Edward Troye. This episode examines how Richards’ breeding innovations and Troye’s artistry combined to preserve the beauty, heritage, and stamina of the horses they encountered.

Gary's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Reinventing-American-Thoroughbred-Adventures-Alexander/dp/0807183695

https://linktr.ee/Kyhistorypod

In this episode, we begin the extraordinary story of Alexander Keene Richards, a 19th-century horse breeder from Georgetown, Kentucky, whose bold vision reshaped American horse racing. Drawing from Gary O’Dell’s newly published book, Reinventing the American Thoroughbred, we explore Richards’ belief that American Thoroughbreds had lost their endurance and needed revitalization through bloodlines from pure Arabian horses.

Join us as we follow Richards’ daring journey into the Syrian desert in 1851—making him the first Westerner to bargain directly with Bedouin tribes for these prized horses. Discover how this Kentucky visionary brought endurance and excellence back to American racing, laying the groundwork for future champions.

Gary's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Reinventing-American-Thoroughbred-Adventures-Alexander/dp/0807183695

https://linktr.ee/Kyhistorypod

In this compelling episode, historian James Prichard returns to explore a turbulent and often overlooked chapter in Kentucky history: the rise of vigilante justice in the late 1800s. As Kentucky struggled with post-Civil War lawlessness, economic transition, and rural isolation, citizens in several counties took the law into their own hands—forming vigilante groups that operated outside legal authority.

https://linktr.ee/Kyhistorypod