Welcome to the Knox Historical Museum
Knox Historical Museum closed until further notice
The Barbourville Municipal Building, which houses the Knox Historical Museum and Genealogy Center, will remain closed until further notice.
This ongoing closure is based on the continuing COVID-19 Pandemic and the state regulations regarding limited gatherings, the wearing of face masks, and social distancing.
All contact with the museum should be in writing to the museum's post office box: Knox Historical Museum, PO Box 1446, Barbourville, KY 40906. Also, individuals can contact the museum via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Knox Countians on the Pandemic of 1918

The fall issue of the Knox Historical Museum's quarterly magazine, The Knox Countian, edited by Charles Reed Mitchell, is now available for purchase at the Museum in Barbourville or via the online Museum Store. The cost per magazine at the museum is $3 while the cost via the website is $3 plus 6 percent sales tax and a $1.25 shipping fee.
Museum features K.C. regional basketball champs of 2020

The summer issue of the Knox Historical Museum's quarterly magazine, The Knox Countian, edited by Charles Reed Mitchell, is now available for purchase at the Museum in Barbourville or via the online Museum Store. The cost per magazine at the museum is $3 while the cost via the website is $3 plus 6 percent sales tax and a $1.25 shipping fee.
List of cemeteries and burials in Knox County, KY

One of the more important and useful publications housed at the Knox Historical Museum and Genealogy Center in Barbourville, Kentucky is a listing of cemeteries and burials in Knox County, Kentucky.
These valuable documents were divided into five volumes and were copyrighted by the now defunct Knox County Genealogical Society, Inc. based in Louisville, Kentucky. In 2006 the documents were gifted to the Knox Historical Museum.
Bert Scent receives 2019 Susan Arthur Award

Note: Bert Scent, left, received the Susan Arthur Preservation Award during the 2019 Daniel Boone Festival. The Barbourville Junior Woman's Study Club's Susie Dunaway did the honors. The Club's Preshus Howard provided the text.
This year’s recipient has worked very hard during his lifetime to preserve and promote Knox County’s heritage and history! He is a man of many talents and he tells his stories thru pictures! He has spent his life collecting, photographing, writing about and preserving our local history.
Upcoming Events
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Knox Museum Closed for Rest of 2020
Planned date for reopening is Wednesday, January 6, 2021.
What Our Patrons Have to Say...
Anyone know of James Anderson Bunch b. 1874
Knox County Museum was closed on Monday when I was passing through, however I did go to the Laurel County Historical Society in London. Searching for Death Record and burial site for my 2nd great-grandma, Sarah Jane Hopper, who married Josephus Hopper in 1886. They were 1st cousins, as their fathers were brothers. Sarah was born in Knox county about 1849 and died after 1910. Last found recorded on the 1910 census in Laurel county. Actual place and death date unknown. Sarah's 1st husband was my 2nd great-grandpa, James William Cox, Jr. (1850-1933) whom she married in 1872 and divorced in 1885.) I've been searching for Sarah and Josephus for many years with no clue as to what may have happened to them after 1910.
Recently bought a kayak and have been looking at the lakes and water way's in the Knox County area and heard of this website. To my surprise found out about the 'Paddle The Cumberland' . I would like to help promote and make this a great event for the Knox Ccounty area. Kayaking has really became a big sport in the surrounding lakes and water ways ... thanks
I am searching for old pictures of the Broughton Family- Job Broughton Lineage line-
Thank you,
Robert Broughton
Cleveland, TN
You file Drawer #3 that contains Broughton Genealogy- when could I come and study those files? Time and days-- I am the Great Grandson to James B. Broughton (1864-1917) I like to work on my family genealogy.
Thank you,
Robert D. Broughton