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July 4, 2026, will be the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

To honor the anniversary, the Transylvania Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution in Lexington, Kentucky, will travel to museums, libraries, and historical societies throughout the state through December 2026.

In Jessamine County, from August 1 through September 25, 2024, the Public Library on 600 South Main Street features a special temporary exhibit called Revolutionary Threads, including uniforms of “our patriot ancestors,” according to Exhibit Curator and Co-Designer and Vice Regent of Transylvania Chapter NSDAR, Sandy Marting.

The exhibit previously won four awards at the Kentucky Society DAR’s 2024 State Convention in Lexington. 

“The goal of this project is to honor the personal wartime experiences of actual men and women who fought, sacrificed, and struggled to win our Independence,” said Marting. “We hope it will create interest in the Revolutionary War and help build excitement about our history as we approach the national celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary of Independence in 2026.”

According to a DAR press release, the exhibit references the lives of the ancestors of Transylvania University students and staff as examples of what people wore during the American Revolution. It illustrates and explains the designs, development, and diversity of the many uniforms worn by soldiers during the War for Independence. 

Women patriots are also represented in the exhibit– from the women who fought on the battlefield to those who served as nurses, spies, and in domestic capacities. 

The experiences, ordeals, and service of members of Kentucky’s Gatliff Family were used to inform the exhibit, demonstrating the difficulties of fighting the war against the British on its western front on the Kentucky frontier and the personal effects on the soldiers and their families. 

In addition, the library’s hallway, just after the lobby, features a display of several battle flags representing some of the numerous regiments, militias, and other military units of the 13 colonies. 

“Not Forgotten,” a notebook of amazing, true-life, personal stories of more than 100 patriot ancestors, accompanies the exhibit. A program and reception highlighting the exhibit will be held free of charge in the Library’s meeting room on Saturday, August 31, at 2 p.m. The program is free of charge, and parking is free. The Trabue Chapter NSDAR of Nicholasville will provide refreshments for the reception.

Supporters for Revolutionary Threads include members of the Transylvania Chapter DAR and private donors, The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Fayette County Farm Bureau, Friends of the Cartmell House, Pennye and Bob Willcutt, Boyle County Public Library, Louisville-Thruston Society of Sons of the American Revolution, Mike King, Jim Stinnett, and Patrick Wesoloksy.

Like the Jessamine County Public Library, the exhibit is free of charge to the public.