The mission of the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission it to identify and promote awareness of significant African American influences upon the history and culture of Kentucky and to support and encourage the preservation of Kentucky African American heritage and historic sites. The commission has 19 members appointed by the Governor and includes representatives from the state’s major universities, state agencies, community preservation organizations and interested citizens. The commission is administratively attached to the Kentucky Heritage Council, with the council providing staff assistance and program oversight.
Some of the commission’s ongoing programs include:
- Research and restoration grant assistance
- Rosenwald School survey and inventory project
- Statewide Underground Railroad initiatives
- Educational forums
[Enabling legislation KRS. 171.800]
African American history in Kentucky has roots in the Commonwealth’s earliest history, as African Americans accompanied and assisted Daniel Boone upon his arrival to the new frontier in 1769. Later, as a border state during the Civil War, Kentucky’s unique condition did not lessen the cruelty and pain of slavery. However through hard work, strength and perseverance, African Americans prevailed, and today these experiences have left a lasting legacy of places that Kentucky takes pride in preserving.
The Kentucky Heritage Council / State Historic Preservation Office and the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission are dedicated to preserving buildings and places important to the history of Kentucky African Americans. Kentucky offers an array of sites that tell the story of slavery, the Underground Railroad, Civil War, education and civil rights, and a historically black college is leading research efforts. Many architecturally significant buildings and museums preserve and promote local African American heritage. The Heritage Council has also worked in partnership with organizations across the state to identify remaining Rosenwald Schools in an effort to preserve and rehabilitate them.
African American Heritage Sites around the state include:
Bardstown
St. John AME Church
Covington
Lincoln Grant School
Danville
Willis Russell House
Doram-Sledd House
Frankfort
Greenhill Cemetery
Kentucky State University
Franklin
George Mahin House
Georgetown
Georgetown College Underground Railroad Institute, Georgetown
Jessamine County
Camp Nelson
Lexington
African American Cemetery #2
Cadentown Rosenwald School
Charles Young Park
South Hill Historic District
Uttingertown Union Benevolent Lodge
Louisville
Chickasaw and Cherokee Parks
Lynch
Lynch Colored School
Marshall County
Cherokee State Resort Park
Maysville
Beirbower House
Harriet Beecher Stowe Slavery to Freedom Museum
Newport
Southgate Street School
Paducah
Hotel Metropolitan
Princeton
Halleck’s Chapel, School and Cemetery
Russellville
Knights of Pythias Hall
Shelby County
Whitney Young Birthplace and Boyhood Home
Lincoln Hall
Stanford
Barrow Cemetery
West Point
Rosenwald School
Winchester
Oliver Street School