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Although the Jessamine County Historical Society has continued to hold open house on Thursday afternoons from 1-3 p.m. and to hold business-only quarterly meetings throughout the COVID pandemic, they have necessarily suspended their other activities during the last year. Now, with warmer weather and vaccination programs gathering momentum, they announce a resumption of the sale of books from the historic Withers Memorial Library. In order to make the resources of the society more generally available, they will also be opening on the second Saturday of each month from 1-5 p.m. The first Saturday open house and book sale will take place this Saturday, April 10. Because the pandemic is not over yet, social distancing and masks will be required.  In 2018 the historical society received a generous donation from Robert and Dorothy Zuck of several thousand books from the Withers Library. Before the onset of the pandemic, many were sold to fund operations, but many remain, overflowing the office’s bookshelves. The society needs its space back, so it is marking down prices for an April 10 bag sale. One dollar books will be $5 per shopping bag (approximately 15 books). Five dollar books will be $3 each or $15 per bag. Ten- and $20 books are reduced to $6 and $12 respectively. In addition to the books from the library, the historical society has its own library of books on Jessamine County and Kentucky history as well as a number of Howard Fain prints for sale. Only cash and checks will be accepted in payment.

But the Jessamine County Historical Society’s main function is not to sell books and prints. They have a large collection of family records, old newspaper articles, cemetery lists, and reference volumes for use by the public in genealogical research. Those resources are available at any time the office is open as well as by appointment. The society’s volunteers will assist in such research to the best of their abilities. They also welcome Jessamine County residents, current or former, who just want to drop by to share memories or exchange anecdotes. Please drop by for a bargain, some research, or a chat at the office in Farmers Bank Square at 216 North Main Street in Nicholasville.