Black History Month
February is Black History month and February 2009 also marks the 200th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. So, in observance of those two events in Kentucky, here are links to several sites you may consider visiting on your trip to Kentucky:
Camp Nelson Heritage Park, Jessamine County, KY – Supply center for Union Troops where more than 10,000 African American soldiers were trained and stationed.
Abraham Lincoln Bithplace National Historic Site & Boyhood Home, Hodgenville, KY – Site of President Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace and boyhood homes in Kentucky. And for information about Lincoln Bicentennial events scheduled for 2009, visit www.kylincoln.org.
Farmington Historic Home, Louisville, KY – 19th century plantation home of the Speed family including Joshua Speed longtime friend to President Lincoln. Site interpretation includes recognition of the contributioons of enslaved men and women who lived there.
Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville, KY – International cultural and educational center along the Ohio river that features the life of althlete and humanitarian Muhammad Ali.
Greenhill Cemetery, Frankfort, KY – Features Kentucky’s onnly monument honoring the Commonwealth’s African American Civil War Soldiers.
Mammoth Cave National Park, Mammoth Cave, KY – Longest recorded cave system in the world was explored and mined by enslaved African Americans during the 18th and 19th centuries.
National Underground Railroad Museum & Old Washington Historic District, Maysville, KY – Discover history and artifacts related to the Underground Railroad and 19th century history of African Americans in early Kentucky.
Civil War Fort at Boonesboro, Winchester, KY - Site of Civil War Fort constructed by African American soldiers in 1863.
Alice Allison Dunnigan House, 1817 Saddle Factory Museum, Russelville, KY – Russelville is a small Kentucky community featuring several historic properties significant to African American heritage. These include the home of the first African American woman member of the White House Press Corps and a four-story building which at one time housed a saddle factory where enslaved workers lived on the top floors.
Shakerag Historic District, Bowling Green, KY – Bowling Green’s first National Historic District recognizing the significance of its African American history.
Kentucky Coal Mining Museum, Benham, KY – Located in the original commissary building, the museum interprets life for a truly multicultural population during the height of coal mining in the early 20th century.