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Museums & Heritage Tourism
Barren River Imaginative Museum
of Science
Open Thursday-Saturday 10am-3pm, Sunday 1-4pm. Groups by appointment.
1229 Center Street
(270) 843-9779 • www.brimsbg.org
Visit a unique "hands-on" science museum
and experience the force of a mini-tornado with the BRIMS Blaster!
Have a hair-raising experience with the van de Graff Electrostatic
Generator. Operate one of the largest interactive transportation
exhibits in the country featuring HO gauge trains in a model railroad.
Measure air flow with the new wind tunnel. Suspend your body with
the help of Magic Mirrors. These and over 50 more exhibits await
your visit. |
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A memorial to all distinguished aviators who have
called South Central Kentucky home, Aviation Heritage Park currently
features a F-4D Phantom II #550, a plane with historic significance.
Brigadier General Dan Cherry, a Bowling Green native, was at the
controls on April 16, 1972 when he shot down a North Vietnamese
Mig-21 during the Vietnam War. The park will be open for visitors
Fall of 2007.
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Riverview at Hobson Grove
Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 1-4pm. Closed holidays and
during January. Last tour starts at 3pm.
1100 W. Main Avenue
(270) 843-5565 • www.bgky.org/riverview
Built by Atwood and Juliet VanMeter Hobson on a
hill overlooking the Barren River, Bowling Green's historic landmark
has been restored to its original splendor and is listed on the
National Register. An official site on the Civil War Discovery Trail,
as it was used for storage of Confederate munitions when the Rebel
forces held Bowling Green, Riverview is an elegant interpretation
of a prosperous Victorian home of the 1860 to 1890 period. Come
experience the life of a 19th century family and their servants.
Seasonal and holiday tours are offered throughout the year to highlight
celebrations of the era. Gift Shop features Victorian items.
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 Shaker
Museum at South Union
March through November, Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm
December through February, Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Closed
Sunday and Monday.
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve & Day, New Year's Eve
& Day.
850 Shaker Museum Road, Just off US 68/KY 80, Auburn
(800) 811-8379 • www.shakermuseum.com
A short drive west of Bowling Green takes you to
the historic site of the South Union Shaker Village. The Shaker
society, an innovative, hard-working religious group, was established
in 1807 and closed in 1922. The village site is now on the National
Register of Historic Places. The museum is filled with original
furniture, crafts, textiles and manuscripts. Nearby Shaker Tavern,
built in 1869, provides bed and breakfast accommodations.
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Kentucky Library & Museum
Museum Galleries Open Monday-Saturday 9:30am-4pm; Sunday 1-4pm
Library Open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, Saturday 9:30am-4pm. Closed
on WKU holidays.
1906 College Heights Blvd, just off 68/80
(270) 745-2592 • www.wku.edu/Library/kylm
The Kentucky Library and Museum houses vast collections
of Kentucky-related materials, furniture, manuscripts, diaries,
newspapers, dolls, photographs, art, genealogical materials, etc.
Exhibit topics include anything and everything relating to Kentucky,
including “Recommended by Duncan Hines” opening in 2007.
The research library holds the largest collection of Civil War related
documents in the South. Special programs, including school tours,
summer camps, workshops, lectures, exhibit openings, and gala events
are open to all.
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 Eloise
B. Houchens Center
Open for tours Monday, Wednesday & Friday 10am-2pm and by appointment.
1115 Adams Street
(270) 842-6761
This lovely, old Greek Revival mansion was built
in 1904 by Francis Kister, onetime Mayor of Bowling Green and co-builder
of St. Joseph Catholic Church. In 1976 it was listed as a Historic
Home to be used for the purpose of restoration, preservation and
a cultural and educational center. Reasonably-priced meeting rooms
available. |
Historic Railpark and Train Museum
401 Kentucky Street
Open Tues.-Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. 1-4pm. Closed Mondays.
(270) 745-7317 • www.historicrailpark.com
Long before interstates, people resting in
Bowling Green arrived at the L&N Passenger Depot. This 1925
structure has been restored and revived to house a two-story museum
where visitors can learn the history of the tracks by asking questions
of a “real Railroader” like a Pullman Porter, an L&N
Cook and a Conductor through state-of-the art interactive galleries.
Housing one of the region’s largest model railroad displays
inside, outside is where the Historic Railpark displays a 1911 L&N
Presidential office car, a 1949 Pullman Standard dining car, a 1953
Luxury Pullman sleeper and a Chessie Class Caboose. Two rare additions
are being restored, a 1921 L&N Railroad Post Office Car and
a 1953 E8A Diesel Locomotive.
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 St.
Joseph Catholic Church
Call for tours.
434 Church Street
(270) 842-2525
St. Joseph Catholic Church is at the heart of the
St. Joseph Historic District. The church was placed on the National
Register of Historic Places in 1975 because of its artistic and
historic significance. The Parish was founded in 1859 to serve the
needs of Irish Catholic immigrants, brought to Bowling Green with
the construction of the railroad. The Gothic style church was constructed
in three stages over a 30 year period, being dedicated finally in
1889. The first pastor, Reverend Joseph DeVries, is said to have
been inspired in the church's design by the cathedral church of
Cologne, Germany. Father DeVries died three months after the church's
dedication, and in deference to his wishes, is interred in a vault
under the old high altar. The Gothic interior has been redecorated
and judiciously adapted several times since 1889 to meet the needs
of a thriving Catholic community. |
Western Kentucky University
Campus Events (270) 745-2497
Admissions (800) 495-8463
www.wku.edu
Founded in 1906, Western Kentucky University is
recognized as one of the most beautiful college campuses in the
nation. The area of the university known as College Heights commands
an impressive view of Bowling Green and the Barren River Valley.
A statue of Dr. Henry Hardin Cherry in front of Cherry Hall provides
Bowling Green with an impressive landmark. A pylon, erected in 1956
as part of the university's 50th anniversary, marks the entrance
to campus and portrays the university motto, The Spirit Makes the
Master. The historic colonnade, which was part of the old football
stadium, serves as a backdrop to an outdoor theater and the Guthrie
Tower and Plaza has become the centerpiece of the south campus area.
WKU has over 18,000 students and 66 major buildings on the 200 acre
main campus, with another 785 acres on the University Farm. Western
has produced educational opportunities to more than 70,000 alumni
who proudly claim the name Hilltoppers. |
 Bowling
Green Brewing Company
575B Veterans' Memorial Lane
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 781-5800
www.DrinkingLikeAFish.com
or www.BGBrewCo.com
Witness Stephen Foster Wheat Beer in the making
at Western Kentucky’s only microbrewery. Tour the facility
and sample the German-style mix of wheat, barley, yeast and hops.
Call for tour availability and times.
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Aviation
Heritage Park