David sits down with Sarah Hubbard, Kentucky Room Manager to talk about exciting updates to the Kentucky Room’s online digital archive. They discuss how to use the archive, and what Sarah’s favorite items in the collection are, plus some upcoming events in the Kentucky Room for 2026.

David sits down with Adam Lewis, local architecture photographer and archivist, to discuss Adam’s popular Instagram account: Southern Country Goodfellow (@southern_country_goodfellow on Instagram). They discuss Adam’s inspiration to start the account, his love of architecture, and how he finds homes to photograph. Adam tells us about his future plans for his photography, and how to get in touch with him if you would like to have your home featured on Southern Country Goodfellow.

David sits down with Dr. Jennifer Cramer, Director of the Appalachian Studies Program at the University of Kentucky and a Professor in the department of Linguistics to talk about the myths and realities of Appalachian Englishes. They talk about her research into dialects in Kentucky and Appalachia and how Appalachian English dialects are similar and different from other American English dialects, and how that influences the ways people think about the region. They also discuss her work with the Kentucky Humanities Council and participation in the Speakers Bureau, a program that provides high-quality speakers to libraries and other non-profits.

Thank you for joining us on Tales from the Kentucky Room this year!

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.