Name: McDowell Night at the Norton Center
Start: 2026-05-09T19:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-05-09T22:00:00-04:00
Location: Norton Center for the Arts

This special evening will include a chautauqua performance highlighting the significant impact of early American statesman and Revolutionary War officer Samuel McDowell, known as the “Son of Virginia, Father of Kentucky.” McDowell presided over nine of the 10 constitutional conventions held in Danville from 1784-1792, leading to Kentucky’s separation from Virginia. He was also the father of Dr. Ephraim McDowell, a pioneering surgeon who performed the first successful ovariotomy in 1809 in Danville.
During the McDowell Night events, the original copy of Kentucky’s constitution will be on display, along with historic political papers and meeting minutes from the constitutional conventions. In addition, the Norton Center’s own exhibit – titled “Be The People” – will also be on display.