The state of Kentucky holds a rich history in the struggle for civil rights from the first interracial college to the site of many demonstrations
From the first integrated university and a museum dedicated to a celebrated athlete and humanitarian, Kentucky offers plenty of unique ways to explore the state’s contribution to the struggle for civil rights and pioneering efforts advocating for social justice and equality.
Lincoln Hall (Berea College)
The first interracial and coeducational college in the South, Berea College, just south of Lexington, helped change the face of American education. Founded in 1855 by abolitionists specifically to educate black and white students together, Berea College fought against the state legislature’s “Day Law,” which mandated segregation, but was unsuccessful. It wasn’t until 1950 that Black students once again walked the campus. Built in 1887, Lincoln Hall, the second-oldest structure on campus, housed classrooms, laboratories, a museum and a library. In 1965, Berea College once again spoke out against racial inequalities when a group of students and faculty joined Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the march from Selma to Montgomery. Several years later as Berea’s students continued to push and advocate on issues of racial justice and equality, they staged a 20-hour sit-in at the president’s office in Lincoln Hall. Experience Lincoln Hall’s rich history at this National Historic Landmark with a guided tour.
Louisville Downtown Civil Rights Trail
During the early 1960s, Louisville was the site of a series of demonstrations and protests urging for social change in the segregated communities. Fourth Street was the main business area, filled with shops and restaurants, many of which treated Black customers differently, including not letting them sit at lunch counters or try on clothing. Activists initiated a voter registration campaign in 1961 that elected a new mayor and a new board of aldermen. And on May 1, 1963, the first public accommodations ordinance in Louisville, as well as in the South, was passed. While many of those businesses are no longer there, the Louisville Downtown Civil Rights Trail preserves the legacy of those who fought for change with the placement of 11 historical markers in the downtown area that tell the story of this significant movement.
Muhammad Ali Center
Muhammad Ali Center
Located in the heart of downtown Louisville, the Muhammad Ali Center offers two-and-a-half levels of interactive multimedia exhibits and galleries celebrating the Louisville native. Like the man himself, the center offers a unique perspective, going beyond Ali’s world heavyweight titles to explore his global humanitarian contributions, and encouraging visitors to reflect upon their own values, inner strength and character. The Muhammad Ali Center is the only place in the world dedicated to preserving and promoting Ali’s legacy. The exhibits are focused on Ali’s six core principles: confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, respect and spirituality. Additionally, the center provides programming and events focused on education, gender equity and global citizenship.
SEEK Museum
Located in Russellville, the SEEK Museum, which stands for Struggles for Emancipation and Equality in Kentucky, focuses on telling the stories about slavery and the subsequent struggles for freedom. Seven historic buildings in two National Register Districts house the educational exhibits that encourage visitors to seek knowledge, truth and understanding of these important issues. Additionally, group and individual tours are available at the SEEK Museum at The Bibb House, which addresses the enslavement and emancipations at that site, as well as at the SEEK Museum in The Bottom, which addresses the resilience of the people who developed that neighborhood and fought for civil rights while facing legalized segregation and racial violence.
Top photo: Lincoln Hall (Berea College)
Photos courtesy U.S. Civil Rights Trail
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