Bluegrass museum in works to feature items from Bill Monroe

HARTFORD, Ky. (AP) – An official in western Kentucky says construction is expected to begin next spring on a bluegrass museum featuring memorabilia from Bill Monroe.

Ohio County Judge-Executive David Johnston told the Messenger-Inquirer (http://bit.ly/1Qtgd9x) that officials plan to build a 15,000-square-foot museum in Rosine. The community was the hometown of Bill Monroe, who was known as the father of bluegrass music.

The county spent $250,000 in 1999 for several items including a car, a mandolin, furniture and clothing that belonged to Monroe, who died in 1996. The items are being kept in storage until they can be placed into the museum, which is expected to cost about $500,000.

Ohio County Economic Development Alliance Director Chase Vincent says the items that belonged to Monroe are dusty but otherwise still in good shape.

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Information from: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, http://www.messenger-inquirer.com

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.