KHS to Help Document African American and Jewish Connections in Hopkinsville
The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) is teaming with the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County (MHHCC) to better document the shared histories of African Americans and Jews in that part of Western Kentucky.
Hopkinsville is one of the most racially diverse communities in the state. The African American community possesses a rich heritage that has had a deep impact on the culture of this area. In addition, Hopkinsville once had a thriving Jewish community.
“We want to collect as much information about these communities as we can before the history disappears from local memory,” said Sara Elliott, grant project director and KHS director of historical resources.
“Integrating Segregated Histories: Part 1” will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 20 at Virginia Street Baptist Church, 210 S. Virginia St., Hopkinsville.
KHS and MHHCC will host “Integrating Segregated Histories: Part 1,” an event for residents and former residents of Hopkinsville-Christian County who have documents or items to share. KHS staff will scan and digitize photos and other documents on site and take photographs of any small three-dimensional items people bring.
“Integrating Segregated Histories: Part 2” will take place on Saturday, Oct. 21. The times and location will be announced closer to the event. It will include panel discussions and workshops on conducting oral history interviews and preserving family documents and photos. KHS and MHHCC will present the information gathered at the May event.
This project is made possible by a National Endowment for the Humanities Common Heritage grant.
Also on Saturday, May 20, a Kentucky Historical Society marker honoring journalist Ted Poston will be dedicated at 3:30pm in Founders Square in downtown Hopkinsville. A native of Hopkinsville, Poston was the first African American journalist to make a career at a major mainstream newspaper and covered many of the country’s major civil rights stories during the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s.
