Kentucky Gateway Museum exhibits Hinton Mills history

The Plummer’s Landing Post Office was an important part of the Hinton Mills history and takes center stage at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center exhibit.

The founding fathers of Hinton Mills, Bud, Frank Owen and O.L. circa 1969.

Photos courtesy of Adam Hinton

A reception was held last Saturday at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center to announce the opening of an exhibit that celebrates the history of Hinton Mills.

Family treasures on display include a section of the Plummer’s Landing Post Office, old store ledgers, a machine used to bag feed, store signs, black and white snapshots from years gone by, O.L. Hinton’s cash register, and many other items that tell the story of how Hinton Mills came to be.

A painting of the Plummer’s Landing location by artist Mike Wagner was unveiled as was a painting of Ellora Hinton by Louisville artist Eden Elwell during Saturday’s event.

Tom Coe, president of the KYGMC Board of Trustees, was on hand to share his thoughts on how important the Post Office was when located inside a country store.

“To say that we are excited about this exhibit is an understatement” Coe began. I was thrilled to see the streamlined, box section of the Plummer’s Landing Post Office, in which the Hinton family played an important role. When you talk about community, you talk about people like the Hinton family who ran a post office inside their store. The post office provided identification of place throughout our country. As our Congressman can tell you it’s still the only federal agency that touches everybody every day. So, with that said, I would like to introduce Adam Hinton. Adam, to me, is certainly well known to most of you, many of his family are here tonight, but I would describe him as one of those people with abundant energy, abundant faith and abundant dreams, and willing to work hard to make those dreams become a reality,” Coe said.

Adam welcomed those in attendance and gave thanks to all those who helped bring the museum exhibit together then he told some of the story of how Hinton Mills got its start.

“Many of you may not have heard how Hinton Mills began. My great grandfather O.L. Hinton started this business back in 1918, when he opened his first store at Goddard. At the age of 9, both his parents passed away and he became an orphan. He and is brother Ed and sister Nell moved in with their grandmother and because of that the most education he got was third grade and basically went straight to work. Many people ask me about the calf head logo we have. That logo represents how my great grandfather got his start when someone probably felt sympathetic to his situation and gave him a little baby calf in which he sold and that is how the story of our business began,” Adam said.

Congressman Thomas Massie also spoke during the event and shared the story of how he met the Hinton family.

“My wife and I met Bud and Paula Hinton when we were campaigning for county judge at the Tollsboro Smokehouse in Lewis County. We decided the best way to get votes was to get out the banjo and the bass and start playing some bluegrass music. Then I met Adam and Nathan when they sold me some farm supplies and delivered them to my farm. I asked if there were any discounts for congressman, and they added ten percent to the price”, Massy said jokingly, then went on to add,” I know how important it is to stay connected to your past. It’s wonderful the Hinton’s have all these artifacts of their ancestors because that is what tells the story. You can read about it in a book, but until you can actually see the items the story just doesn’t hit home. I know how hard it is to stay in business for a hundred years there just aren’t many places that can do that. It’s such an important part of their history that the Hinton family has been able to provide jobs in their community. When I asked Bud what the key to success was, he told me perseverance,” Congressman Massie said.

To learn more about the incredible history of Hinton Mills stop by the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center, open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $10 for adults and $2 for students.

The Hinton Mills exhibit is one of three events that will take place to celebrate 100-years as a family business and will run through Aug. 24.

The next event, Hinton Mills at the Ball Park Day, will take place June 23 at the Cincinnati Reds vs. the Chicago Bears ballgame where Bud Hinton will throw out the first pitch.

Then on Sept. 1, which is O.L. Hinton’s birthday, a family fun event is planned to take place at the Plummer’s Landing Mill location.