Grab a handful of confetti and your best party hat. You are cordially invited to a birthday party – but not just any party. This is a BIG party to celebrate Oldham County’s 200 years of existence! Visit the Oldham County History Center on Thursday, February 15th from 11am – 12 pm to help the county kickoff a year-long celebration of all things OLDHAM!

So why February 2024? On December 23, 1823, the establishment of Oldham County was approved by an Act of the Kentucky General Assembly which became effective on February 1, 1824. Oldham County was created from portions of Jefferson, Shelby and Henry Counties making it the 74th county of Kentucky. Historical Marker #1251 in La Grange tells the history of Oldham County. The naming of the county is credited to the memory of Col. William Oldham, a captain in the Revolutionary War.

Col. Oldham fought at Lake Champlain, survived the bitter winter of 1777-78 with Gen. Washington at Valley Forge, and was present at the Battles of Brandywine and Monmouth. In the spring of 1779, he moved to the Falls of the Ohio. In the fall of 1791, he was appointed to lead the Kentucky militia as part of an expedition into the Northwest Territory. While commanding the Kentucky militia, Col. William Oldham was one of over 890 men and 16 officers killed or wounded in a battle against Native Americans known as St. Clair’s Defeat on November 4, 1791, south of present day Fort Wayne, Indiana. The victims were surprised and overpowered by Indians on a small branch of the Wabash.

Col. Oldham left his mark on a county whose boundaries were surveyed and set, with circuit and county courts first held in the house of George Varble. The site of the first courthouse was selected by appointed commissioners from Woodford County who determined that Westport was the most viable community at that time for the county seat with its proximity to the Ohio River. A courthouse was built and court was first held at the new courthouse on September 15, 1828. This historic building still stands as the Westport Methodist Church and Westport is steeped in history. On his way to meet up with William Clark after leaving Pittsburgh, PA in August, 1803, Meriwether Lewis would have floated past Westport on his way to Clarksville, IN to meet Clark before their epic Lewis & Clark Expedition. Westport was home to Fanny Clark, younger sister to William Clark, who lived there with her second husband, Capt. Charles M. Thruston, a merchant. The tiny town of Westport witnessed many momentous events before the courthouse moved permanently to La Grange.

Many activities are being planned to celebrate a year of important events. This year’s Oldham County Day theme will be, “Celebrating 200 Years!” The Bicentennial Committee for Oldham County has commemorated this birthday with a special logo which, along with 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.

Businesses, organizations, schools, individuals and communities are encouraged to celebrate this Bicentennial to show how proud Oldham County is of its rich heritage and amazing history.

Oldham County Chamber & Economic Development is partnering with the Oldham County History Center to provide cake in the Rob Morris Chapel, located 207 W. Jefferson on the Oldham County History Center campus. This event is free and open to the public. There will be special guest appearances and the history center museum will be open with free admission.

For more information about Bicentennial events and Oldham County history contact Kim Hydes, Executive Director of Oldham County KY Tourism & Conventions, at (502) 222-0056 or by email at Director@TourOldham.com, or visit TourOldham.com.