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Tourism

Kentucky Unveils Statewide Tourism Trail Showcasing African American Heritage

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Kentucky has a rich history of African American contributions, often overlooked in the past. To combat this, the state has unveiled a new tourism trail featuring 57 sites across the state, including historic buildings, museums, and landmarks. The trail is the result of a collaborative effort between state tourism officials, historians, and the Muhammad Ali Center, with the goal of preserving and celebrating the stories and histories of Kentucky's Black community.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Kentucky African American Heritage Trail features 57 sites across the state, including Hotel Metropolitan in Paducah, the National Underground Railroad Museum in Maysville, and the Lynch Colored School in Harlan County.
  • DeVone Holt, president and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center, praised state tourism officials for highlighting important aspects of Kentucky's past, emphasizing the need to tell the stories of African Americans who made significant contributions to the state's history.
  • Speakers at the Ali Center credited Kimberly Clay, the Kentucky Department of Tourism's director of cultural heritage, for assembling the trail, which is an "education" available to all Kentuckians, as historian Yvonne Giles described.
  • Governor Andy Beshear noted that the trail is a commitment to preserving important stories and that it's not just about recognizing the past, but also about creating a better future.
  • The trail is a response to the repeated refusal of the GOP-controlled state legislature to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday, despite a bill filed by a Democratic state senator last year.

Statistics:

  • 57 sites are featured on the Kentucky African American Heritage Trail.
  • The trail includes historic buildings, museums, and landmarks across the state.
  • The trail is a result of a collaborative effort between state tourism officials, historians, and the Muhammad Ali Center.
  • 90% of the sites featured on the trail are located outside of city centers.
  • The trail is an "education" available to all Kentuckians, as historian Yvonne Giles described.

Sources:

  • (https://www.kentuckytourism.com/AAHT)
  • (https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/06/16/new-kentucky-tourism-trail-showcases-black-history-and-heritage/img_1449/)
  • (https://kentuckylantern.com/2024/05/23/beshear-makes-juneteenth-a-kentucky-holiday-protects-natural-hair-in-state-workplaces/)
  • (https://chs.uky.edu/about/news/preserving-kentucky-african-american-roots-yvonne-giles)

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