LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Frazier Kentucky History Museum will open a new exhibition on Independence Day weekend that aims to explore Kentucky’s role in shaping American identity and civic life, with free admission offered during part of the day for visitors who say a specific phrase at the door.

The exhibit, titled I Too Am a Kentuckian, opens Saturday, July 4, 2026, and runs through July 4, 2027. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free admission from 1 to 4 p.m. for visitors who say, “I too am a Kentuckian” at the front desk. The first 100 guests will also receive a commemorative lapel pin.

The opening day will include guided tours of the exhibition at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., along with curator availability sessions at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Family programming tied to the museum’s America250-themed exhibits will also run throughout the afternoon.

The exhibition centers on the idea of civic identity and participation, drawing inspiration from a famous line attributed to Abraham Lincoln, who once wrote, “I too am a Kentuckian.”

Museum organizers say the show is designed to highlight how people across the Commonwealth have contributed to ideals such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

“We are so excited for every Kentuckian to experience this inspiring and interactive exhibition that shares stories, service, and songs from the fifteenth state in the union,” said Frazier President Andy Treinen. “Our team has worked very hard to curate a proud, yet honest, experience that captures our Commonwealth in war time and peace—through lawmakers, justices, protestors, and we the people, to better understand Kentucky’s integral role in America’s 250 years of this great experiment.”

According to the museum, the exhibition uses artifacts and stories to trace civic engagement across Kentucky history, from military service and public office to labor, activism, education, and the arts.

Displays include items such as a packhorse librarian’s book crate, a dress worn by country music icon Loretta Lynn, a Shaker-made chair, and archaeological artifacts tied to Camp Nelson, a Civil War-era refugee settlement for formerly enslaved families of Black soldiers.

Military artifacts span multiple eras and branches of service, including uniforms worn by Kentuckians in conflicts ranging from the Mexican-American War through the Global War on Terror.

An audio installation will feature Kentuckians, both well-known and everyday residents, sharing reflections on identity and belonging.

The exhibition is part of the museum’s broader America250 programming, which is leading up to the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. It is supported by sponsors including the National Endowment for the Humanities, the America250KY Commission, WLKY, and Louisville Public Media.

The museum describes I Too Am a Kentuckian as both celebratory and reflective, aiming to show how Kentucky’s history intersects with national ideals and how residents continue to shape those ideas today.