Highlands Museum and Discovery Center | Ashland

The Highlands Museum and Discovery Center in Ashland, Kentucky is both a regional history museum and an interactive learning center, blending traditional exhibits with hands-on experiences that appeal to families, students, and history enthusiasts. Housed in the historic Coyle and Richardson Building in downtown Ashland, it serves as the cultural hub of northeastern Kentucky, preserving the area’s heritage while also fostering curiosity about science, music, and daily life.

Origins and Development

The museum began as the Kentenia Historical Museum in 1984, dedicated to collecting and preserving artifacts from eastern Kentucky.

It moved to its present location in the early 1990s, occupying a former department store that provides ample space for both permanent and rotating exhibits.

Over the years, it expanded its mission to include not just history but also discovery-based learning, making it more accessible and engaging for children and families.

Layout and Exhibits
The museum covers multiple floors, each combining local history with interactive elements. Key highlights include:

Regional History Galleries – Exhibits trace the development of Ashland and the broader Appalachian region, focusing on Native American history, frontier settlement, industry, and civic life.

Country Music Heritage – Ashland is the hometown of The Judds (Naomi and Wynonna) and Billy Ray Cyrus, and the museum features a strong emphasis on the area’s contributions to American music. Displays include costumes, instruments, photographs, and multimedia celebrating eastern Kentucky’s impact on country music.

Military History – Artifacts, uniforms, and oral histories honor local veterans and highlight the role of northeastern Kentucky residents in U.S. conflicts.

Discovery Center for Children – Interactive, hands-on exhibits encourage learning through play, covering science, health, and everyday life in creative formats. Popular attractions include medical play stations, a miniature town setup, and educational games designed to spark imagination.

Rotating Exhibits – The museum regularly hosts temporary displays on themes ranging from Appalachian folk culture to contemporary science topics.

Community and Education
The Highlands Museum functions as a vital community center, hosting:

School field trips and classroom partnerships.

Family programs, such as holiday celebrations and themed activity days.

Guest lectures, workshops, and cultural presentations on Appalachian history, music, and traditions.

Special events tied to Ashland’s civic celebrations and regional heritage festivals.

Preservation and Collections
While the museum emphasizes interactive learning, it also serves as a repository for artifacts reflecting northeastern Kentucky’s story. Its collections include textiles, photographs, documents, tools, and memorabilia tied to local industries such as coal mining and steel production, which shaped Ashland’s identity.

Visitor Experience

The downtown location makes the museum easy to reach and ties it into the broader historic district of Ashland.

Visitors can move fluidly between historic interpretation and hands-on exploration, making it enjoyable for both adults and children.

The combination of regional pride and broader themes-such as music and science-gives it both local depth and universal appeal.

Significance
The Highlands Museum and Discovery Center reflects the dual identity of Ashland and its region: deeply rooted in Appalachian heritage yet outward-looking in its contributions to American culture, particularly through music. By blending serious historical preservation with playful discovery, it keeps community memory alive while inspiring the next generation to engage with history and learning in meaningful ways.