When Sam Terry describes KET as “a source of self-enlightenment,” you get the sense he’s speaking from a place of professional experience. A former newspaper editor and creator of the popular blog Sam Terry’s Kentucky, Terry found his calling exploring, preserving and sharing the stories that shape the Commonwealth.

“My first introduction to KET was as a student in Barren County,” he recalled. “Some of the educational programming came right into the classroom – it stuck with me.” KET programming has been with him ever since. “I watch KET every day now; election coverage, PBS programming and especially the documentaries. The [KET] Ted Bassett [Ted Bassett: A Kentucky Gentleman] documentary is a wonderful piece of work.”

More recently, KET turned to Terry’s knowledge of Kentucky history, as was featured in the Lexington: 250 Years documentary.

KET helps preserve and promote Kentucky’s history for everyone; it helps us remember and recognize who we are.

Sam Terry

Terry particularly enjoys exploring Kentucky’s place in the broader American story, including during the Revolutionary War. “People often overlook Kentucky’s role in the American Revolution,” he explained. “We had a great part in that – not only the famous Battle of Blue Licks, but so many Revolutionary leaders who later settled here. For many veterans, Kentucky was where they came to claim their land grants – their pay for service.”

With Ken Burns’ upcoming documentary American Revolution, Terry sees an opportunity to bring those stories back to the surface. “It’s a chance to remind people Kentucky was central in ways we don’t always talk about.”

For Terry, both his blog and KET share a mission of enhancing education and accessibility. “KET is such a great resource for people continuing their education. Whether it’s someone studying for their GED or watching a documentary in their living room, it’s about lifelong learning,” he said.

He points to KET’s nationally recognized adult education programming as especially meaningful. “Kentucky has been a leader in adult education, which really had its birth here with Cora Wilson Stewart and the Moonlight Schools. That legacy matters, and KET has kept it alive.”

Terry doesn’t just watch KET content, though – he uses it himself working on his own projects. “I find KET archives invaluable. Recently, I’ve loved re-watching the Distinguished Kentuckian series. Seeing people like Barry Bingham Sr., Joy Bale Boone, John Jacob Niles – being able to access that high-quality reference material helps me tell their stories more vividly.”

It’s not just the history KET preserves that Terry enjoys. “I’ve always been interested in politics. Comment [on Kentucky] is a wonderful bit of information about what’s gone on in the past week. In our busy world, we don’t always have time to subscribe to multiple papers and read them cover to cover; we appreciate having resources like Comment [on Kentucky], Kentucky Edition and Kentucky Tonight that help us dig into important stories. KET presents it all fairly, without sensationalizing it for ratings. They’re not rushing to be first. They’re working to get it right.”

Terry sees KET as a mirror and a torch, showing Kentuckians who they are, and helping them see who they might become. “My favorite part of Kentucky history is the unique culture of Kentuckians – we’re unlike people in any other state. You talk to people in other states, and they don’t discuss their history the way we do. We revere our history; we celebrate it. KET helps people recognize and have an appreciation for that unique culture.

“KET is a valuable resource to help Kentuckians remember and recognize who we are, and why we are the way we are – and how we can be better.”