Nancy O’malley Pulling Up Roots: Moving to the Kentucky Frontier in the Midst of War

Join us for a fascinating talk by Nancy O’Malley, archaeologist and author known for her work on early Kentucky settlements. O’Malley led the excavation of the Painted Stone Station site in Shelby County—an important frontier outpost established by Squire Boone and evacuated in 1781 following Native American conflict, leading to the Long Run Massacre.

Recently retired from the University of Kentucky, O’Malley has spent nearly 40 years in archaeological research, museum work, and teaching. She is the author of Stockading Up: A Study of Pioneer Stations in the Inner Bluegrass Region of Kentucky and has held positions at the William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology, Texas Historical Commission, and others. Her upcoming book, Kentucky Frontier to Commonwealth, is due out in October 2025.

This free program is part of the With Liberty & Justice For All! speaker series hosted by the Shelby County Historical Society and Countdown to USA 250! Committee, with support from the SAR, DAR, Painted Stone Settlers, Inc., and the Shelby County Public Library.