Oldham County officially kicks off 200-year celebration

Oldham County is celebrating its Bicentennial this year – 200 years of history, tradition, and heritage. The kickoff celebration on February 15th was well attended and sets the stage for more great events throughout the year. A special logo was even created for the occasion, featuring the county’s namesake, Col. William Oldham. The theme will be incorporated into such events as My Old Kentucky Home Bicycle Tour, Trackside Tunes, Arts on the Green, the Oldham County Hometown Tourist program, and events by the Oldham County History Center.

The Oldham Era
By Jane Ashley Pace, Publisher
February 19, 2024

La Grange Elementary fifth graders joined a large group of community members and local officials on the Oldham County History Center lawn Thursday, Feb. 15 to officially kick off the yearlong bicentennial celebration for the county.

The celebration included proclamations from La Grange Mayor John Black, County Judge-Executive David Voegele and Gov. Andy Beshear, birthday cake, singing of Happy Birthday to the county and special appearances from Kentucky native President Abraham Lincoln, Oldham County’s own Underground Railroad Conductor Delia Webster and Freemason, Eastern Start Founder Robb Morris.

“This is really a wonderful, momentous occasion,” said Voegele. “We’ve organized a committee of about 25 people to help celebrate our 200th anniversary as a county. How do you have a birthday party for 70,000 people? Well, that’s going to be kind of a challenge but we’re going to have a number of events throughout the year that I hope different people will take advantage of and I would like to encourage all of you to think of yourselves as part of this celebration. It’s not a celebration for other people, it’s a celebration for all of those here today, as well as those [who could not attend].”

Voegele went on to encourage every organization, business, church and agency in the county to think of their history and how they might participate in their own way in the bicentennial celebration this year.

“We all stand on the shoulders of many, many predecessors. People that came down the Ohio River a couple hundred years ago whose descendants are still here. Our beautiful county is the beneficiary of lots of people of who tried their best to raise our standard of living, and the comfort and success of our community. We are all part of it today. Let’s not forget it.”

Bicentennial committee chair Nancy Dahlgren addressed the crowd, introducing those in costume of famous past Oldham Countians, before leading everyone in singing Happy Birthday to Oldham County.

“I hope you’ll challenge yourself at every [bicentennial] event to learn something new about Oldham County that you did not know before.”