Kentucky’s history, from its beginnings as a settlement in what was then Virginia to its statehood in 1792, makes it a rich backdrop for events. Planners wanting to immerse attendees in the heritage that makes the Bluegrass State special can do so at its legendary museums, which cover topics from its Thoroughbred horses and bourbon distilleries to its famous musicians and songwriters.

International Museum of the Horse

Lexington

The International Museum of the Horse opened in 1978 as part of Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. It is one of the largest equine museums in the world, and its exhibits cover everything related to horses and horse racing.

“Our mission is to tell the story of the history of humans and horses and the special connection we have had throughout time,” said Emily Lozon, director of the museum. It implements that mission through its exhibits, its library and archive, its storytelling, and its art.

The museum has several rotating exhibits that talk about Thoroughbred country, and it has four full sets of Triple Crown trophies and a large selection of Thoroughbred racing trophies. One-third of the museum is currently under renovation. The new exhibit, which will open in 2027, will focus on the origin, evolution and domestication of horses and how horses have worked alongside humans in various industries and agriculture.

The Al-Marah Arabian Horse Gallery opened in 2010 and uses interactive technology and historical art and artifacts to teach visitors about the history of the Arabian horse and how it eventually ended up in the United States.

A small education classroom was built two years ago that can host smaller meetings of about 30 people. Groups of up to 150 can host receptions in the museum lobby. Larger groups can rent the entire museum using the lobby for their bar and catering tables. Attendees can explore the museum exhibits as part of their event.

kyhorsepark.com

Frazier Kentucky History Museum

Louisville

Originally called the Frazier Historical Arms Museum by its founder Owsley Brown Frazier, the Louisville museum rebranded as the Frazier Kentucky History Museum in 2004. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the museum features exhibits representing everything Kentucky, from its founding when Daniel Boone came through the Cumberland Pass from Virginia to the present day.

It still has a large permanent collection of historical arms and artifacts, including Teddy Roosevelt’s Big Stick, Custer’s pistols and Geronimo’s bow and arrows, but it also includes the pop-culture themed “Cool Kentucky” exhibition, which highlights artists, craftsmen, scientists, chefs, musicians and other notable figures from Kentucky. A permanent exhibit discusses the history, craft and culture of bourbon, and The Lewis and Clark Experience simulates the journey the U.S. Army’s Corps of Discovery undertook from 1804 to 1806 to explore the Louisiana Purchase.

The museum can host groups of up to 1,200 if they rent the entire facility. The Fourth-Floor Loft can accommodate 320 for a banquet, and the rooftop garden, which overlooks the Ohio River, can seat 150 guests for dinner. The Order of the Writ is a newer venue space with period decor and a built-in bar. It can host 50 seated or 100 for a reception. When paired with the Speakeasy and the “Spirit of Kentucky Bourbon” exhibition, it can host up to 250 standing guests.

Groups that host events in the museum can explore the galleries or add bourbon tastings to their events. Docents are also happy to give tours of the spaces and meeting groups can do a scavenger hunt throughout the exhibits as an ice breaker.

fraziermuseum.org

Aviation Heritage Park & Museum

Bowling Green

The Aviation Heritage Park & Museum in Bowling Green tells the stories of local astronauts and aviators, from World War I through the present-day Space Force. It showcases some of the aircraft flown by local aviators and then tells their stories with interviews and artifacts.

The museum started with one airplane, an F-4D Phantom II, flown by then Maj. E. Daniel Cherry during the Vietnam War. Retired Brig. Gen. Cherry is credited with shooting down an enemy aircraft with the plane in aerial combat. After visiting an Ohio Air Force museum, he discovered that his plane had survived the war, and he was able to track it down. He brought the plane back to Bowling Green where it was restored and placed on display.

Meeting groups can host events at the museum. The most popular spot to rent is the Hall of Heroes, the museum’s main exhibit space, which can host groups of up to 60. Larger events for up to 200 can rent the entire museum. Banquets are held next to a NASA T-38 Talon with a Piper J-3 Cub suspended overhead.

There is a classroom space off the main exhibit hall that can host 35 people, and groups that rent space in the museum can explore the exhibits as part of their events. The plaza outside, which displays seven aircraft, including a Huey helicopter, is also available for events. Catering is not available on-site, so groups can bring in their own food.

aviationheritagepark.com

Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Mt. Vernon

The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Mt. Vernon will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2027. The building it’s in, which is 45 minutes south of Lexington, was once the original riding stables of John Lair, founder of Renfro Valley Entertainment Center. Loretta Lynn and former Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton helped secure funding for the museum, which inducts influential Kentucky musicians into its Hall of Fame every two years, telling their stories through dynamic exhibits, performances and community engagement.

The Hall of Fame honors inductees from all genres of music, including writers and producers. The exhibit space features over 80 Hall of Fame inductees with one-of-a-kind music memorabilia and showcases a timeline of Kentucky music history through interactive exhibits.

Groups of all sizes can rent space at the museum. The largest space is the amphitheater behind the Hall of Fame. It can accommodate up to 750 people. The lobby, which can hold groups of up to 70, can be used for meetings or performances. There is a conference room for about 40 guests. Catering is also available.

As part of their events, groups can organize personalized tours of the museum or take self-guided tours of the spaces. If groups want to include entertainment, museum staff will work with several musicians who perform in a variety of genres. They also help with the rental of tables, chairs and tents and have a list of caterers in town that can provide food for events.

kentuckymusichalloffame.com

Behringer-Crawford Museum

Covington

The Behringer-Crawford Museum is located in what was once the Devou family home in the city of Covington. The family donated their hillside estate to create Devou Park. The museum was founded to house the collections of William Behringer, an avid world traveler and collector, including oddities such as a two-headed calf.

The museum’s other namesake, Ellis Crawford, served as the museum’s first curator and director from 1950 to 1970. He was an amateur archaeologist and naturalist who helped establish the museum and led a number of archaeological digs in Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, adding wooly mammoth bones to the museum’s collections. Over the years, the museum evolved to tell the story of Northern Kentucky’s history, arts and culture.

An addition was put on the original home that was built around one of the museum’s centerpieces: the last streetcar to ride on the green line in Northern Kentucky. The museum has rotating exhibits throughout the year, and meeting and event planners can use the museum for events.

Groups of about 100 can rent out the whole museum. The Education Center is a prime spot for sit-down dinners. It can be combined with an outdoor patio to allow additional guests. The facility hosts outdoor concerts, with the musicians playing on the third-floor veranda overlooking the park.

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