A new documentary, “Character Makes the Man – the Story of the Kentucky Military Institute: 1845 – 1971,” is being produced by ParkerLane LLC in association with Kentucky Educational Television.
Kentucky Military Institute, located in Lyndon, Ky., held its winter classroom schedule in Venice from 1933 – 1970. The young cadets, their instructors and many of their families took the train ride to Venice shortly after Christmas and returned around Easter. Their 37 years in Venice was significant to the area’s growth and development. The school purchased buildings abandoned due to the bust in the 1920s, saving the San Marco Hotel, used for classrooms and dormitory; the Hotel Venice, used as a dormitory; and what was once the Orange Blossom garage and now the Venice Theatre, used as a gymnasium.
The documentary is expected to air on public television in the fall.
To learn more about KMI in Venice, visit the Venice Museum and Archives, 351 S. Nassau St., Monday – Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., where a special exhibit will remain on display until Nov. 13.