Owensboro’s history will take center stage in a unique way next year, thanks to a new photo calendar being produced by local historian and photographer Adam Paris. Preorders are now open for the 2026 History of Owensboro Calendar, which will feature historic images of recognizable local landmarks, businesses, and scenes from the past.
Paris, known for his History of Owensboro Facebook group and architectural photography through AP Imagery, said this is the first calendar he’s produced under the History of Owensboro brand.
“I’ve done a few calendars in the past, and it’s never been about making money. It’s more of a passion project,” Paris said. “I love the history here, and I wanted to find a way to bring that to people’s homes while also securing sponsors to make this project sustainable.”
To avoid overordering and excess costs, Paris is offering the calendar on a preorder-only basis. He’s also seeking sponsors, especially long-standing local businesses, to help fund the project. In return, sponsors will receive complimentary and discounted calendars, as well as the opportunity to help select which historical photos appear in the final product.
Paris said he has already curated about 60 photos for consideration. Final selections will be made in collaboration with the calendar’s sponsors, and featured images may include old storefronts, restaurants, grocery stores, and familiar scenes from areas such as downtown Owensboro, Glenmore, and Griffith Avenue.
“There’s everything from Smothers Park before it was really anything, to Velvet Milk, General Electric/Ken-Rad, Rube’s Pool — Owensboro’s first public pool in the 1920s — and some great shots of old Kentucky Wesleyan and the planing mill,” Paris said. “If a sponsor has ties to a certain location or industry, I’ll even try to find something connected to their history, or they can add their own photo.”
Paris said his passion for local history took root after losing his grandparents and hearing family stories at their funerals.
“Hearing about places they worked or things they did and how those places don’t exist anymore really made me want to learn more,” he said. “That curiosity about their lives led to me tracing family history, and eventually I started collecting photos and diving into the city’s past.”
Preorders for the professionally printed calendars are available now, and sponsorships are still being accepted. For more information, to place a preorder, or to become a sponsor, visit apimagery.com/pre-order-the-2026-history-of-owensboro-calendar/.
Paris emphasized that this project is a labor of love, but he hopes it will also help others feel a deeper connection to Owensboro’s heritage.
“It’s not just about the pictures — it’s about the stories that come with them and the memories they bring back,” he said. “There’s a lot of history here worth preserving.”
