What will Kentucky Book Festival visitors find on your table?
I will be so excited to share withvisitors my newest publication, The History of the Kentucky Derby in 75 Objects, which chroniclesthe founding and development of America’s greatest horse race through selections from theKentucky Derby Museum’s permanent collection of artifacts. We will have a special takeaway, too:a commemorative bookmark, to help devoted bookworms keep their place in this exciting newbook!
Whom do you invite to stop by? Who will benefit from reading your book?
Although at first,this book may seem niche to anyone who does not follow the sport of horse racing, I wouldencourage readers interested in American history, material culture, and museum studies to givethis book a try. What is so unique about the Kentucky Derby—and why the book can support sucha broad audience—is its cultural significance. With 150 long years of history behind it, I always liketo say that the history of the Kentucky Derby is American history, told through a Kentucky lens. Therace and the nation grew up together, and the triumphs and woes of American life can be observedin the Derby’s annual renewal. Beyond a simple appeal to lovers of American history, we have triedto recalibrate our storytelling in this book to better reflect the vital contributions of Black, Latino,and female Americans to the race’s success, to share the gems of our 10,000+ item museumcollection, and to provide and updated narrative of the eventful 2010s. There is a little somethingfor everyone in this narrative—all enhanced by beautiful color photography and historic images.
Is this your first time participating in the Kentucky Book Festival? If yes—what are youlooking forward to the most? If you’ve participated before—what was your favoriteexperience at the Festival?
This is my first time participating as a solo author, although I didattend in 2021 as the representative for The Watercolors of Harlan Hubbard: From the Collection ofBill and Flo Caddell, for which I contributed an introduction. I loved being able to be around somany fellow bibliophiles, who recognize the vital importance of reading as a way to engagecreativity, insight, and empathy. Too, I loved the opportunity to speak with like-minded Kentuckianswho had a true passion for their culture and history. I look forward to being in Lexington—horsecountry!—to share in the conversations about horse racing and heritage.
