Kentucky Has a New African American Heritage Path With 50 Websites Celebrating Black Historical past

The state of Kentucky launched an African American Heritage Path immediately, providing guests practically 50 major websites and several other further places that deliver centuries of Black historical past to life. From museums and monuments to historic church buildings and colleges, the path offers a complete take a look at the people and communities who helped to form Kentucky’s historical past and tradition. 

Timed to coincide with Juneteenth celebrations throughout Kentucky, the path formally launched on June 16, 2025. “The path is a bridge between schooling and exploration that elevates voices which have too usually been unnoticed of the broader historic narrative,” Governor Andy Beshear advised Journey + Leisure. “By positioning these culturally vital websites as tourism locations, the path stimulates native economies, helps small companies, and creates job alternatives in communities whose tales should be heard and celebrated.”

Guests can start their exploration on the Kentucky Heart for African American Heritage, which hosts weekly occasions and serves as a useful resource for supporting the state’s Black neighborhood.

One of the vital in style websites alongside the path is the Muhammad Ali Heart in Louisville. Devoted to the boxing legend and humanitarian, the middle explores Ali’s Kentucky roots, affect on civil rights, and international humanitarian efforts. The middle can also be an academic hub, selling values corresponding to respect, confidence, and dedication—rules Ali championed all through his life.

One other vital cease, the Search Museum, shares highly effective, usually neglected tales of slavery and the search for freedom, equality, and justice. By means of instructional displays housed in seven historic buildings throughout two Nationwide Register Districts, guests are inspired to hunt information, reality, and understanding. The museum operates two websites: the Bibb Home, specializing in slavery and emancipation till 1865, and The Backside, highlighting the publish–Civil Battle resilience and civil rights efforts of a neighborhood formed by segregation and racial injustice.

Additional south, Camp Nelson Nationwide Historic Monument in Jessamine County tells the story of African American Union troopers throughout the Civil Battle. This former army provide depot turned a recruitment and coaching middle for African American troops, a lot of whom introduced their households searching for freedom. The positioning features a museum and interpretive trails.

Different notable path places embrace the Portal 31 Coal Mine in Lynch, which highlights the contributions of Black miners within the Appalachian coal business, and Simmons School of Kentucky, one of many state’s oldest traditionally Black faculties. In Louisville, Roots 101 African American Museum gives immersive displays that hint African American historical past from Africa to trendy America.

Path websites will likely be accessible on Apple Maps and Kentucky Tourism’s web site. For extra data, go to the Kentucky Tourism web site at kentuckytourism.com.