Ashland, Ky. — The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center, 1620 Winchester Avenue opens a new year with an exhibit designed for basketball fans of all ages.

Opening at noon Wednesday, Slam Dunk! will chase those winter blues as visitors catch Kentucky’s basketball mania.

The core of the exhibit features the memorabilia and autographed pictures taken from the world-renowned collection of John Carpenter of Firebrick, Ky.

Since 1994, John Carpenter has held the world’s record for the largest privately owned autographed sports collection. Carpenter began collecting in the 1980’s and has accumulated his 4000-piece collection by simply asking the players or families of players for memorabilia.

Carpenter often sends a copy of a Ripley cartoon to let donors know that he has been designated by Ripley’s Believe It or Not as the World’s Largest Private Sports Collector. He also tells them that he does not intend to sell what they send. John and his collections have been featured on ESPN and ESPN 2 and in numerous interviews and articles.

Slam Dunk!

includes posters, pennants, shirts and glossy 8X10’s with familiar basketball names scrawled across the front. Lots of blue and white is in evidence with UK memorabilia from the Rupp era to Coach Tubby Smith and former women’s coach Mickie DeMiss.

A nod to other collegiate greats features former UCLA coach John Wooden and a salute to Tennessee coach Pat Summit.

Professional basketball legends from Larry Bird and Michael Jordan to LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are in evidence from bobble heads to signed basketballs.

The exhibit contains local color with pictures and commentary about high school stars and teams who made the record books. For children and the young at heart, there are basketball related activities, along with a pretend concession stand for thirsty players. The exhibit will be on display through Saturday, April 7.

Museum Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and Mondays by appointment. Cost is $5 for adults and $4 for seniors, students and children. Members and children under 2 are free.