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 Lexington’s LGBTQ history, showcasing the importance of the queer community in this city. Highlighting key moments and figures in Lexington's LGBTQ history, from Sweet Evening Breeze's drag performances in the 1920s to the passage of the Fairness Ordinance in 1999, this exhibit will celebrate the resilience and contributions of the queer community. By shedding light on these often overlooked narratives, we hope to foster a greater sense of belonging for LGBTQ individuals in Lexington while also promoting understanding and appreciation among the broader population.

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 in the public domain.