With 200 Years Of History, This Small Town Museum In Kentucky Is A True Hidden Gem

Kentucky is known for its long, rich history and is especially known for being the home of American whiskey, specifically Kentucky Bourbon. The Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History in Bardstown, Kentucky will educate you on everything there is to know about this intrinsic part of state history. It's an absolute hidden gem of a small town museum in Kentucky.

This stately building known as Spalding Hall was constructed in 1826 and was originally the St. Joseph College and Seminary and served as a hospital during the Civil War. It was then an orphanage and lastly the St. Joe Preparatory School until 1968. Now, it stands as the foremost center of the history of whiskey in Kentucky.

There are several exhibits within the museum beginning with this old moonshiner still where early moonshiners made corn whiskey with makeshift stills much like this one.

In the late 1800s, whiskey became a booming industry in Kentucky and moved from remote stills to entire factories with sturdy barrels and early technology like this barrel bunging machine.

Prior to and after Prohibition, whiskey stores like the one in the backdrop were quite popular with a massive selection of local brands to choose from.

Prohibition was certainly extremely impactful on the history of Kentucky whiskey with each side fighting tooth and nail to defend their side. For 13 years, from 1920 to 1933, the battle raged on as “teetotalers” sought to eradicate alcohol throughout the nation and the rest of America sought to retain access to their libations.

The museum is very proud of Kentucky’s local distilleries, some of which have been in business for over 100 years. There are several displays of old bottles of whiskey, many containing their original contents.

The museum grounds are also the site of the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival where people come from all over the country to sample the best bourbon that Kentucky has to offer.

This is certainly an amazing small town museum in Kentucky! Have you ever visited the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History in Bardstown, Kentucky before? Let us know about your experience in the comments. This museum is just one part of the rich history of Bardstown.