Dishayna Perkins’ “Back in the Day” collection visits libraries in Harrodsburg and Lexington
From Cabbage Patch Kids to cassette tapes, Dishayna Perkins’ traveling exhibit is giving library visitors a chance to revisit the objects that shaped childhood and everyday life.
Perkins, a 2022 Kentucky State University graduate in mass communication and journalism, curated Dishayna’s Vintage “Back in the Day” Exhibit to preserve the stories attached to familiar toys, music, electronics, and popular culture.
The collection is on display at the Mercer County Public Library in Harrodsburg through Oct. 30 before moving to the Lexington Public Library’s Central Library from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31.
“This exhibit is more than a collection of vintage objects. It is a collection of memories,” Perkins said. “Each item tells a story.”
Childhood favorites include Cabbage Patch Kids, Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots, Rubik’s Cubes, View-Masters, and Hot Wheels. Characters such as Mickey Mouse, Wonder Woman, and the California Raisins offer reminders of the entertainment that accompanied those years.
Other sections trace changes in how people listened to music, watched movies, and stayed connected. Vinyl records, 8-track tapes, cassettes, and CDs appear alongside portable players and boom boxes. Landline telephones, early cellphones, and pagers recall a time before a single device could handle calls, messages, music, and video.
For Perkins, the value of these objects lies in the experiences they evoke. A record may recall dancing in the living room; a pager may bring back memories of a first job. Younger visitors can discover how earlier generations communicated and entertained themselves, opening opportunities for families to share stories across generations.
That exchange gives the exhibit a purpose beyond nostalgia. By preserving objects people once used every day, Perkins is documenting cultural history through experiences visitors can recognize and discuss.
After transferring to Kentucky State, Perkins completed her studies under Danny Collum.
“Strong storytelling begins with recognizing what matters to people,” said Dr. Shannon Brogan, acting chair of the School of Humanities. “Dishayna has built an exhibit around that idea, using familiar objects to open conversations about family, culture, and change. It’s rewarding to see a Kentucky State graduate bring that creativity into our communities.”
The Mercer County Public Library is located at 109 W. Lexington St. in Harrodsburg. Lexington’s Central Library is at 140 E. Main St. For exhibit bookings or inquiries, contact Perkins at Dperkmedia.pr@gmail.com.
“The technology may have changed,” Perkins said. “The toys may have changed. The music may have changed. But the memories remain.”
Perkins’ work adds to the cultural contributions Kentucky State alumni make across the Commonwealth. By sharing her collection in public libraries, she is giving visitors of all ages a place to discover how their family stories fit into a shared history.