Remnants of a French Past: Long Silent Stories of Millersburg KY.

Local author Randolph Runyon (Forever Belle, The Mentelles) and library staff member Cate Neilson will present "Remnants of a French Past: Long Silent Stories of Millersburg, KY" at the Millersburg Branch Library.

In reading the history of Millersburg, Kentucky, little is mentioned of the French influence present in the earliest days of its settlement. Only certain names—Vimont, Savary, Barbier, Duhamel—reveal their existence at all. In his book, The Mentelles, Randolph Runyon brings to light some background on these founding settlers:  John Savary, a Frenchman from Lyon, was the first postmaster and established some of the first businesses in Millersburg along with his ward, Louis Vimont; a Dr. Duhamel, whose father was a French engineer. Although the Mentelles resided in Lexington, they had close connections with the French community in Millersburg, even to the extent of their families intermarrying. A closer look into these names reveals a network of French immigrants who helped shape not only Millersburg but the landscape of a fledgling America as well.  Runyon's proficiency in French provides astonishing insight into the trove of French letters (housed in the UK Archives and primarily from Savary and Vimont) and illuminates not only the lives of these men and their impact on the Millersburg community, but also into their – often quirky – personalities. Please join us in bringing to light these 'long silent stories' of a fascinating French past in Bourbon County's history.

A taste of France refreshments provided.