The Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) recently approved $35,000 from its special tourism project funding for a new horse exhibit to be housed in the Kentucky Museum at WKU.

“The Horse and Kentucky” (working title) exhibit will be a permanent exhibit that will focus on the close relationship Kentucky’s earliest residents had with horses, the extreme importance of the horse in their everyday lives, the undeniable richness of history brought on by the horse and the love of the horse in our Commonwealth.

“For years, the state of Kentucky has promoted and spent millions on the horse industry,” said Vicki Fitch, Executive Director for Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Now, Bowling Green will be able to offer visitors a permanent exhibit reflecting one of our state’s top industries and points of pride.”

The Kentucky Museum will promote the new exhibit throughout the Bluegrass and surrounding states as an educational stop for everyone from school-age children to adults. It will touch on everything from the first step on horseback through the Cumberland Gap, to today’s racing, farming, showing and pleasure uses. It will also cover industries that support and are supported by horse owners, trainers, exhibitors, breeders, and lovers.

“We are very enthusiastic about this project,” said Mike Binder, Dean of WKU Libraries. “This exhibit will be a tremendous addition to our museum.”

According to Josh Hawkins, Director of Development for WKU Libraries, the revenue from the CVB will provide seed money to begin the process. “The Convention & Visitors Bureau funding will allow us to move forward and begin working with Solid Light—a company based out of Louisville, Kentucky. There is a great deal of interest within our region to make this exhibit a reality. We look forward to working with all interested partners.”

The cost of the project has been estimated at $1,000,000 with an additional $500,000 endowment to sustain the exhibit. Solid Light has been contracted to design, construct and produce the exhibit—the same company that produced the museum’s Duncan Hines Exhibit.

There are many funding and naming opportunities available for individuals, companies or organizations who would like to assist with the project. For information on the horse exhibit, contact Hawkins at (270) 745-2730 or email josh.hawkins@wku.edu.

Contact: Jennifer Wilson, WKU Libraries Marketing Coordinator, jennifer.wilson1@wku.edu or (270) 745-6977.