Beech Tree News Network

In cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution and the Kentucky Humanities Council, the City of Morgantown has brought the exhibit Crossroads: Change in Rural America to our community. This educational display is available to small cities across America.

The exhibit highlights the many changes rural America in our area has seen many changes in the past two hundred years. One hundred and fifty years ago the steamship was the primary method of transporting goods and people. Today they are just a romantic memory that has been replaced by Interstate highways and paved roads that crisscross our state.

Our grandparents told us stories about the streets of Morgantown being full of wagons and model t's on Saturday, people came to town to buy supplies and socialize.  Today we don't think twice about driving to Owensboro or Bowling Green in our modern vehicles and maintained highways.

The Rural Electrification Act of 1937 made it possible for small towns and people in the rural areas to have reliable electricity for lights, water pumps, electric stoves and washing machines. Warren RECC is part of the REA and when we flip a light switch, we know the light is coming on.

Assistant Clerk Tristan Klein mentioned some of the old ordinances they went through when City Hall was renovated. One of them was about installing oil lamps downtown.

One hundred years ago the tractor was changing rural America, today they have GPS, computers, and air-conditioned cabs. Very few people remember the art of canning, most jars are antiques today, seventy-five years ago everyone canned vegetables, even the White House.

Only thirty years ago every home had a phone, today we use cell phones and call from anywhere.

Across America many small towns are disappearing, our City and County Governments are working to see that doesn't happen here. The Exhibit shows how 4-H, FFA and the Schools are adapting to our changing times. The Butler County Extension Office is always coming up with programs to help the farmer and the homemaker.

We are fortunate to have sidewalks, a large city park and close access to State and National Parks. Butler County has sixty miles of the Green River flowing through it, the City and County are working on projects to utilize this asset again.

What happens in Rural America effects all of America.  Change can be good or bad, how we manage and adapt is crucial.

As a part of the exhibit, local historian Tommy Hines gave a virtual presentation on the life of George Dabbs.

Cheani Schroeder, sophomore at Butler County High School serves as Docent, initiating discussion with visitors about the exhibit. Cheani says she has been surprised by the different opinions the visitors have had about what they think Rural America is today.

There is still time to check out the exhibit.

Dates and Times:

December 15, 17, 21, 22, 28, 29-3 to 6 PM

December 19-9AM to 1 PM

Check out City of Morgantown Facebook Page for more information.