Survivors of slavery in Christian County will be highlighted in the next History on Tap at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, at Hopkinsville Brewing Co.
The stories of 25 formerly enslaved residents come from biographies written by Charles Meacham in 1934 for the Kentucky New Era. Meacham was a Hopkinsville mayor and journalist. His book, “A History of Christian County: From Oxcart to Airplane,” was published in 1930.
“These biographies provide a glimpse into a part of our past that is not well documented and give us a chance to better understand the depth and breadth of our community’s history,” the Museums of Hopkinsville-Christian County said in a press release.
Alissa Keller, executive director of the museums, wrote about the Meacham slavery survivor biographies for a Black History Month story in 2023.
Current and former board members of the museums and Hopkinsville History Foundation will share the stories during program.
History on Tap is a monthly program that seeks to share local history in a relaxed setting. There is no cost to attend.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
