About The Project

Horse Cave Stories has been made possible by a collaboration of many people and organizations who love and support the arts, culture and education at the local, state and federal levels!

Mayor Randall Curry, Sandra Wilson of the Horse Cave/Hart County Tourist Commission and Ken Russell of the Horse Cave Development Corporation who also works for the City of Horse Cave have dedicated untold hours to this project. The National Park Service’s Preserve America Program, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Kentucky Arts Council, and The Kentucky Humanities Council have funded the project. The Kentucky Oral History Commission, the Kentucky Historical Society, the City of Horse Cave and many others have assisted in providing ideas, photos and conducting and archiving oral histories.

Arts consultants Judy Sizemore and Joanna Hay were the project directors for Horse Cave Stories.

Oral History interviews were conducted by Judy Sizemore, Joanna Hay, Mark Brown, Lynn David, Ann Ferrell and Brent Bjorkman.

Tour and website produced by Joanna Hay Productions
Tour and website written by Judy Sizemore

Joanna Hay: www.joannahayproductions.com
Judy Sizemore: [email protected]
Signage manufactured by Pannier: www.panniergraphics.com


Photo Credits:

Kentucky Historical Society
Kentucky Folklife Program
Kentucky Repertory Theatre
The Thomas Family
The City of Horse Cave
Monica Hoel
Donna Rand
Gene Bowen [email protected]
Greg Lipps [email protected]
Joe Forsythe
Marti Booth
Joanna Hay
The Filson Historical Society
Mammoth Cave National Park.


The three volumes of “A Leaf In Time” books provided many photographs and names. The booklet “Horse Cave Historic District Commercial Walking Tour 2004” was another valuable resource for us. These books are available through the City of Horse Cave.

The complete Oral Histories are archived at the Kentucky Historical Society with the Kentucky Oral History Commission.

Special thanks go to Sarah Milligan, Mark Brown, Michelle Spoelstra-Rowe and Joy Lyons.

This project is supported in part by an award from the Preserve America/National Park Service.

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, supports Horse Cave Stories Cellphone Walking Tour with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

This project is supported in part by an award from the Kentucky Humanities Council.

This project is supported by the Kentucky Folklife Program