Nicky Hughes

Lewis Nichols Hughes serves as curator of historic sites for the City of Frankfort, Kentucky, overseeing the historic sites division responsible for several parks, including Leslie Morris Park on Fort Hill. He is dedicated to preserving Civil War history, safeguarding two earthwork forts and the site of an 1864 skirmish within a forest preserve. Hughes has spearheaded numerous projects, such as the renovation of an 1810 log structure into an exhibit space and a recreated Civil War-era inn, and contributed to the development of Frankfort's Capital City Museum. His expertise extends to historical interpretation, co-authoring best-selling books on Frankfort's history and contributing significant text to exhibits at institutions like the Cincinnati Museum Center and the Old State Capitol. Throughout his career with Kentucky state government, he held curatorial and managerial roles at prominent institutions, focusing on the preservation and interpretation of the Commonwealth's military and state history. Hughes is also deeply involved in living history, actively participating in reenactments and specializing in the material culture of the Civil War era, while also serving as an editor for prominent Civil War history publications. His dedication to preserving and interpreting Kentucky's military heritage has been recognized with the Commander's Award for Public Service.