FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Historical Society(KHS) Governing Board welcomed four new members and installed four officers during the Annual Meeting of the Kentucky Historical Society on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. Elected by the KHS membership, the KHS Governing Board represents all regions of the Commonwealth and has a wide range of expertise. These history ambassadors join current board members to fulfill the mission and uphold the values of the KHS to bring together all who share an interest and passion for Kentucky history. The newly elected board will take office effective Jan. 1, 2024.
“One of the many highlights of the year is to welcome our newly elected officers and board members at the swearing-in ceremony in Kentucky’s Old State Capitol,” said Scott Alvey, executive director of KHS. “Through their service to KHS, they bring vast expertise, contribute important insights, and demonstrate dedication to preserving and exploring Kentucky’s rich and fascinating past.”
Newly elected members are:
Officers
- Cynthia Torp, Corydon, Indiana, President – Torp is a design professional with over forty years of expertise in inspired visitor experiences in museums, universities, and visitor centers. The owner of Solid Light Inc., she was named the 2015 Distinguished Contributor by the Southeastern Museums Conference in recognition of her outstanding service and innovation in the world of museums. Torp was born in Louisville and now calls Corydon, Indiana, home.
- Shelia Mason, Frankfort, 1st Vice President – History is a passion of Mason, the co-author of Community Memories: A Glimpse of African American Life in Frankfort. She is a member of the Capital City History Museum Board and the Frankfort African American Historic Context Project. Mason has served the Legislative Research Commission in various research and administrative positions. Mason is a lifetime Frankfort native.
- Alicestyne Turley, Ph.D., Clay City, 2nd Vice President – Dr. Turley recently published The Gospel of Freedom, for which she received the 2022 Black Appalachian Storyteller Fellowship Award. Among other accomplishments, she is the founding director of Berea College’s Carter G. Woodson Center for Interracial Education and the founding director of Georgetown College Underground Railroad Research Institute. Originally from Hazard, Turley now lives in Clay City.
- Lora K. Suttles, Staffordsville, 3rd Vice President – A retired administrator for McDonald’s of East Kentucky, Suttles is now the director of asset management at Hutchinson Holdings and a curator and historian for the Historic Davis House in Paintsville. Suttles is the past president of the Friends of KET Board and serves on the Board of Trustees of Kentucky Christian University. Born in Alberta, Canada, Suttles calls Staffordsville home.
Four Year Terms
- Bobbie Smith Bryant, Middletown, Member – A writer, editor, and speaker, Bryant retired from the Kentucky League of Cities after 24 years in community engagement and economic development. From 2019 – 2022, Bryant served the Calloway County Fiscal Court as editor of their bicentennial history book. She periodically contributes a column to the Murray Ledger and Times about the aspects of her rural heritage. Bryant was born in Murray and currently resides in Middletown.
- Jeff Hoover, Jamestown, Member – Hoover is an attorney and a former state representative, serving as the Republican Floor Leader and the Speaker of the House. He is the co-host of “All Things Russell,” a podcast that discusses history and current events in Russell County. Hoover also volunteers his time with the Russell County Jaycees, the Food for Needy drive, and broadcasting for local high school basketball. Hoover was born in Albany and calls Jamestown home.
- Thomas Collier Hines, Woodbury, Member – Hines is the executive director of South Union Shaker Village and the owner of T. Collier Hines Historic Preservation and Interiors. He is also on the music and administration staff at the Morgantown Community Church. Hines has a wide range of civic and volunteer involvement, including the Board of Trustees of the Old Salem Museum and Gardens and the Board of Directors of the Green River Academy Preservation Society. He was born in Morgantown and resides in Woodbury.
- Barry “Scott” Keadle, Prospect, Member – Keadle is a licensed architect involved with several historic preservation projects, including Brown-Forman-owned National Register Historic Sites (Woodford Reserve and Old Forester distilleries and Brown-Forman headquarters). He serves on the One West Commercial Development Committee, the Kentucky Kids Belong Tailwind Board, and the board of directors of the United Methodist Church Kentucky Annual Conference. Keadle was born in Sunbury, PA, and calls Prospect home.
