Heritage & Culture

The powerful spirit of adventure and resilience found in The Kentucky Wildlands can be traced to the area’s early Irish, Scottish, English and Welsh immigrants and roots. The coal-mining explosion of the early 1900s that brought people from around the world to the mountains of eastern Kentucky played an important role in America’s growth and industrialization and contributed to today’s Appalachian traditions, heritage and culture. Colorful characters span centuries of history, including Daniel Boone; the Hatfields and McCoys, creators of the original family feud; and Colonel Harland Sanders, creator of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Year-round festivals, live performances, historic sites and tours highlight the lives, stories and events that shape this unique and often overlooked part of our country.