Dixie Hibbs is a distinguished historian and author based in Bardstown, Kentucky, renowned for her extensive contributions to preserving and chronicling the rich heritage of the state’s oldest established city. Her dedication to historical preservation is evident through her long-standing service on the Bardstown City Council since 1982 and her role as president of the Nelson County Historical Society. Beyond her official capacities, Hibbs has actively participated in restoring eleven historic buildings within her community, reflecting her deep commitment to maintaining Bardstown’s architectural legacy.

As an accomplished author, Hibbs has penned several works that delve into Bardstown’s storied past. Her book, “Bardstown,” offers readers a visual journey through the city’s evolution, featuring 190 rare photographs that capture significant events and landmarks. The collection includes images of the tragic Shepherdsville Train Wreck of 1917, the impact of Prohibition on local distilleries, and unique views of fires that devastated establishments like the Heaven Hill Distillery and the Talbott Tavern. Through her meticulous research and engaging narrative, Hibbs provides invaluable insights into the social and cultural dynamics that have shaped Bardstown over the years, and she has written several books on the area including Bardstown.

Hibbs’s deep-rooted connection to Bardstown and her family’s influence have significantly shaped her passion for history.  She owns a farm that her husbands ancestors settled on in 1791. The old homestead captured by local artist David Moore. Says Dixie “you walk in the steps and you sleep in the rooms that your family, you grandmother and your great grandmother and all, and we are very good in Kentucky at paying attention to our ancestors.” Learning to sew from her grandmother from Clay County at the age of eight, Hibbs developed an appreciation for traditional crafts and storytelling. This familial bond and early exposure to local traditions likely fostered her interest in preserving the narratives of her community.

Her lifelong dedication to documenting and sharing Bardstown’s history has cemented her status as an authority on the city’s past, ensuring that future generations can appreciate and learn from the rich tapestry of stories that define Kentucky’s oldest city.

And a big part of that story is the history of bourbon. By the thousands tourists from all over the world visit Bardstown and nearby areas to tour the distilleries. What makes this area so perfect is the water and the climate. Says Dixie: “The weather is essential, you can’t make bourbon in Florida. Water, weather, expertise, you can ship corn in — you can’t ship weather in.”

And this community has another treasure — The Abbey of Gethesmani — run by Trappist Monks since 1849. It pulls in tourists from far and wide who can even stay at the Abbey and try some of the fruitcake or Bourbon Fudge made by the monks.  It makes for a fantastic history lesson, and so Dixie Hibbs checks all the boxes as one of our History Heroes. You will see and hear her passion in our Small Town Americana report on Bardstown, Kentucky below.