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. Its African American community has a rich heritage that has made a deep impact on the area's culture. The city once had a thriving Jewish community.
“We want to collect as much information about these communities from the 19th and 20th centuries as we can before the history disappears from local memory,” said Sara Elliott, grant project director and KHS director of historical resources.
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. Staff from KHS will scan and digitize photos and other documents on site and take photographs of any small three-dimensional items people bring. Both organizations will include the scanned material in their digital collections.
“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.
“Integrating Segregated Histories: Part 2” will take place on Saturday, Oct. 21. KHS and MHHCC will announce the times and location 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.
A National Endowment for the Humanities Common Heritage grant makes this project possible.