January 2026 Issue

A New Chapter for Taylorsville’s Civil War Legacy: Felix Grundy Stidger Cabin Restoration Begins

This Friday, October 3rd at noon, downtown Taylorsville will witness the beginning of something truly historic—the groundbreaking for the restoration of the Felix Grundy Stidger Cabin. For years, locals have passed by what many called “that random pile of logs,” curious but unaware of the deep Civil War history embedded in those timbers. Now, the mystery is being replaced with meaning.

Felix Grundy Stidger, a Union spy whose daring work helped dismantle Confederate secret societies, played a pivotal role in the complex drama of the Civil War. His cabin, right in the heart of Taylorsville, is about to become a living monument to that legacy.

This restoration isn’t just about preserving a structure—it’s about reclaiming a story. Civil War enthusiasts will soon have a new must-visit destination, one that offers a rare glimpse into the covert operations and local contributions that shaped the war’s outcome. The cabin will serve as an educational resource, a tourism draw, and a point of pride for Spencer County.

The buzz around town has already started to shift. What was once a question—“What is that pile of logs?”—is becoming a conversation about heritage, history, and the hidden heroes of Taylorsville. Come Friday, the community will begin to uncover the real story behind Felix Grundy Stidger and the role this small Kentucky town played in one of America’s most defining conflicts.

Stay tuned as the restoration unfolds—and prepare to see Taylorsville through a whole new lens.

Learn more about the Foundation doing all this marvelous work and become a Friend of Felix!

This September, Spencer County is coming together in a powerful way with Dare to Care to celebrate Hunger Action Month—a nationwide campaign to raise awareness and take action against hunger.

Food Collection Campaign with Dare to Care

In partnership with Dare to Care, Spencer County is launching a food collection campaign to help families facing food insecurity, especially focusing on the 23% of Taylorsville’s population that lives beneath the poverty line.

Here’s how you can get involved:

• DONATE: Drop off non-perishable food items at locations around Spencer County, TBA soon!
• JOIN: Help the Spencer County FOODYFEST team to collect the most food by joining us on Dare to Care’s official webpage. Rally your friends, family, or organization to help us raise $5000 in food and funds this September!
• COMPETE: Level up the good works by creating your own team to compete for the most food and funds raised.
• Use this link to join us or create your own team!
  • https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2025fooddriveswithdaretocare/register/form/registration
    • Join the Spencer County Foodyfest Team with Katherine Scott
    • OR
    • Create and register your own team to compete with us and add to the fun and good works!

Every donation helps ensure that no family in our community goes without.

Why It Matters

All of these efforts are part of Spencer County’s commitment to Hunger Action Month—a time to reflect, give, and act. Whether you’re donating food or raising food and funds, you’re helping to build a stronger, more food-secure community.

How You Can Help Now

• Share the message using #SpencerFOODYFEST and #HungerActionMonth

Let’s make this September a month of action, compassion, and community—one meal, one family, and one act of kindness at a time.

visittaylorsville.com/digital-history

Taylorsville-Spencer County Tourism is thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our community’s journey to honor and celebrate our rich history. We are proud to share that the Spencer County America250KY Committee is now an official member of the Kentucky America250 initiative. This exciting development marks a new chapter in our efforts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Joining the America250KY Initiative

Being part of the America250KY initiative allows Spencer County to play an essential role in a statewide celebration of our nation’s founding. The initiative aims to engage communities across Kentucky in a shared reflection on our past, present, and future as we approach this milestone anniversary. By joining this initiative, we are committing to celebrating the diverse narratives that make up our county’s history and culture.

The Spencer County America250KY Committee will focus on creating programs and events that highlight our unique local heritage while contributing to the larger narrative of our nation’s history. This is an exciting opportunity for us to showcase the stories and traditions that have shaped Spencer County and continue to define our community.

Introducing the Digital History Project

In conjunction with our involvement in the America250KY initiative, we are delighted to present the new and ongoing Digital History Project. This innovative project is designed to make Spencer County’s history more accessible and engaging for residents and visitors alike. By visiting visittaylorsville.com/digital-history, you can explore a wealth of historical resources, including photographs, documents, and personal stories that paint a vivid picture of our county’s past.

The Digital History Project is a dynamic and evolving resource, continuously updated with new content to ensure that our community’s rich history is preserved and shared with future generations. Whether you’re a lifelong resident, a newcomer, or a visitor, this project provides an opportunity to delve into the fascinating stories that have shaped Spencer County.

Looking Ahead

As we look forward to the 250th anniversary of the United States, Taylorsville-Spencer County Tourism is committed to fostering a deeper appreciation of our local history and its place in the broader American story. We invite everyone to join us in this celebration by exploring our Digital History Project and participating in upcoming events as part of the America250KY initiative.

Together, we can ensure that the vibrant history of Spencer County continues to inspire and inform. Stay tuned for more updates and events as we embark on this exciting journey to honor our past and envision our future.

Word of mouth still reigns as the most trustworthy recommendation for a movie, hair stylist, piano teacher etc, but organic reviews are a pretty close second. As a Tourism Director I am often combing through a mess of bot generated reviews to see if I can figure out whats going on with a locations wins or losses. Every once in a while I strike gold, and today, I did! I stumbled upon the Trip Advisor reviews of the sweet little Overlook Event Center at the Edgewater Resort. I know personally that Amy (the Edgewater Manager) is awesome. She is a great local advocate, super community oriented, organized, straight-forward and such a force for good, but you always wonder if it gets noticed. Well, girl, it does. Cheers to Amy and her events at the Overlook. I’m so proud to work with you in Spencer County and so proud to show off your reviews to anyone wanting to plan their special events here too.

Hugs,