Shaw Manor · Attic Storage

The Steamer Trunk

An old trunk under the attic eaves, every tag on it a trip somebody came home from.

Each luggage tag opens a travel album: landscapes, coastlines and the road between. Most open a public Google Photos album in a new tab; tags that say “Open the gallery” open photos kept right here in the trunk. Down at the very bottom, under the tags: the family album.

27 tags on the trunk

Found in the bottom of the trunk

The Family Album

Mom and Dad, the folks behind J&J Liquors, a few pages of snapshots, and two Blackberry Queens. Tap any photo to see it bigger.

Snapshot of Mom steering a speedboat in a red and white swimsuit while Dad relaxes on the back seat in plaid trunks, wake and wooded shore behind them (open larger)
Mom and Dad, the folks behind J&J Liquors, out on the boat Mom at the wheel, Dad lounging in back.
Family snapshot against a brick wall: two girls by a table with a checked cloth, Mom and Dad standing, and young Shaggy in overalls in front (open larger)
The family, back when Shaggy was knee-high Lined up against a brick wall; young Shaggy is the little blond one in overalls.
Polaroid of Mom in a red top behind baby Shaggy, also in red (open larger)
Mom and young Shaggy A Polaroid of Mom in red, with Shaggy as a baby.
Snapshot of Mom in a bandana sitting on a patterned carpet next to toddler Shaggy in overalls, a baby gate behind them (open larger)
Mom and young Shaggy On the carpet by the baby gate.

Two Blackberry Queens

Colorized newspaper clipping headed Festival Queen: Mom in a white gown holding a trophy and roses, flanked by two men in suits (open larger)
Mom, crowned Queen of the Annual Blackberry Festival A newspaper find, colorized, with the caption as printed.
Framed Blackberry Festival poster for Carlisle: a smiling clown, a Ferris wheel, carousel horses and a bunch of balloons, with June 29 to July 4 dates, sponsored by the American Legion, Derby State Shows (open larger)
Blackberry Festival poster, Carlisle One just like it hung on young Shaggy’s bedroom wall.
Snapshot of Shaggy’s wife smiling in a red dress and a tiara, standing in front of a door with yellow chevron cafe curtains (open larger)
Shaggy’s Blackberry Queen The crown stayed in the family.

Festival Facts

Blackberry Festival · Carlisle, Kentucky

  1. Born a Homecoming: In 1946 Carlisle threw a Fourth of July “Homecoming” for its WWII vets. By 1950 it had a sweeter name, the Blackberry Festival.
  2. Long Live the Queen: The first Blackberry Queen was crowned in 1950. Early on, folks voted with their spare change, and the girl who raised the most took the crown.
  3. Catch That Chicken! In 1952, chickens were dropped off the courthouse roof for kids to catch, and over 4,000 people lined up for the festival’s first Ferris wheel.
  4. Star Power: UK coach Adolph Rupp spoke in 1952, and in 1954 Happy Chandler crowned the queen and sang “My Old Kentucky Home.”
  5. Berry Good Float: The best float of 1964 carried live blackberry bushes with real pickers picking them.
  6. Clock Tower Keeper: The courthouse’s domed clock tower has watched over the fun on Courthouse Square since 1893.
  7. Bonus: The blackberry has been Kentucky’s official state fruit since 2004.

Sources: KyNewsGroup special edition · WEKU · Kentucky Living · NPS · KRS 2.089

See the festival from the drone on the Flight Deck →

The festival cobbler was served at her family’s store →