FRANKFORT, Ky. — Building on the New Kentucky Home initiative, Big Bone Lick State Historic Site in Boone County will host its annual Salt Festival Oct. 17-19, providing visitors a glimpse into the past. Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is recognized as the birthplace of American vertebrate paleontology for its significant role in the development of scientific thought regarding extinction and the relationship between geology and paleontology. In 2009, the U.S. Department of the Interior selected Big Bone Lick State Historic Site as one of 606 National Natural Landmarks in the country. In 2024, the U.S. Department of the Interior selected Big Bone Lick State Historic Site as one of 2,600 National Historic Landmarks in the country. Kentucky is home to 44 state parks, including 17 resort parks and 13 golf courses.