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Danville, KY Arts & Culture

Offerings include museums, galleries, festivals and historic sites.

By Laura Hill on August 13, 2015

Dollhouse Museum in Danville, KY
Danville / Jeffrey S. Otto
Visitors view displays at the Dollhouse Museum in Danville

Present-day artists and attractions, historic charm and preservation are what help make Danville-Boyle County a special place to live and visit. Here are just some of the interesting things to see and do.

The Arts

On the Centre College campus, Norton Center for the Arts hosts a number of events, from symphony and ballet performances to concerts by artists such as Dolly Parton. Theater-goers enjoy Pioneer Playhouse, which serves dinner and a live show Tuesdays through Saturdays during summer months, while West T. Hill Community Theatre produces plays year round and maintains a vibrant children’s theater program.

Since 1998, the Arts Commission of Danville-Boyle County has fostered art awareness through education and events, including a twice-yearly Gallery Hop Stop where downtown businesses stay open late to host gallery-goers. A biannual Art-full Raffle raises funds for scholarships. The Community Arts Center, located in the beautiful old Federal Building in the heart of downtown, showcases exhibits and performances and offers classes in dance, music and visual arts.

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Stephen Rolfe Powell Studio

World-renowned glass artist Stephen Powell is an art professor at Centre College and has also opened his own Stephen Rolfe Powell Studio in Danville. On display are several of his colorful large-scale blown glass sculptures, demonstrating an artistic style often described as playful and whimsical. Many of Powell’s pieces are so large that a team of glass artists was needed to complete them under his direction.

Museums

Take a tour of the Ephraim McDowell House Museum, a National Historic Landmark named for one of the area’s early physicians. Or go small at the Great American Dollhouse Museum, where a world of miniatures can intrigue tall and tiny visitors alike. Attractions include a playroom, classroom and gift shop.

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Historic Sites

Kentucky’s state constitution was signed in 1792 in Danville’s Constitution Square, which is known as the Birthplace of the Commonwealth. The park includes several original and replica historic structures of the era, a visitors center and the offices of the Economic Development Partnership. Also well worth a visit is the log courthouse, where 10 constitutional conventions were held.

Those interested in Civil War history should visit Perryville Battlefield, the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the war. The battlefield today is home to a park and visitors center that is open year round, while the battle is commemorated each October. Other interesting Civil War-related sites include Danville National Cemetery and McDowell Park near Centre College, which features a statue in memory of the Confederate States of America. While in Perryville, tour historic Merchant’s Row, the oldest original commercial district still standing.

For a place to stay with historic flair, The Farm is an old working plantation transformed into a bed-and-breakfast where guests can explore the full agricultural experience by working with farm animals. Other interesting accommodations include Stay Over Danville, the Bowman Bungalow and The Cottage Bed & Breakfast.

Events and Festivals

The Great American Brass Band Festival brings 40,000 fans to Danville each June for music, food, fireworks, a hot air balloon race and other fun. As summer comes to a close, Boyle County has many weekend events and festivals, among them the Kentucky State BBQ Festival in September. Later that month, the Heart of Danville hosts the Harvest & Heritage Festival, which includes an evening of local food, drinks and music on Main Street. In October, the Forkland Heritage Festival & Revue presents life as it was lived in olden days, complete with traditional country music and working crafts people.

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