This week’s Second Thursday program will be a session about Kentucky’s musical tradition through the decades.

Ron Pen, director of the John Jacob Niles Center for American Music in Lexington and a speaker for the Kentucky Humanities Council, will present his program at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Bluegrass Heritage Museum on South Main Street.

According to the museum, Pen will speak about and perform some of the musical styles Kentucky became known for following World War II.

In addition to his presentation, Pen will perform ballads, old time fiddle and banjo dance tunes, dulcimer music and shape note hymnody, to further illustrate his talk.

Kentucky’s musical styles extend beyond the usual bluegrass and country to styles that spread from the hollows and mountains.

Niles, who lived in Clark County for decades until his death in 1980, was a renowned composer, songwriter, singer and collector of ballads as well as an instrument builder.

Programs at the museum are free. Doors open at 6 p.m. Thursday at the museum, 217 S. Main St.