The Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County has announced two initiatives to commemorate Black History Month. One is a temporary audio addition to the Pennyroyal Area Museum’s permanent exhibit, and the other is a topic for the next History on Tap program.
Voices of Hoptown
The exhibit addition is called “Voices of Hoptown,” and it incorporates audio from several oral history interviews designed to “enhance guests’ understanding of local history,” museum staff described in a press release.
“For Black History Month, we are featuring 12 memories from local African Americans who have shared their stories with us,” the release states. “From the importance of church to the pains of school desegregation, these voices bring new depth to the museum space.”
It includes audio of interviews with Darryl Banks, Nannie Croney, Mamie Dillard, Wendell Lynch, Gwenda Motley, Levi Peterson Jr., and Valeria Watkins.
“These valuable audio clips have been possible through a partnership with Salt.Light.Love and with grant funding received from the Kentucky Oral History Commission,” the release states.
“Voices of Hoptown” will be in place through the end of the month. The Pennyroyal Area Museum, 217 E. Ninth St., is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
The full oral history interviews are also available in the podcast titled “Voices of Hoptown: In Their Own Words” on Spotify.
History on Tap
The museum’s other Black History Month program is History on Tap at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at Hopkinsville Brewing Co., 102 E. Fifth St.
Alissa Keller, executive director, will lead a discussion about Hopkinsville’s Black businesses in the early 20th century, which are captured in a map that was drawn by J.T. Lynch.
“Created from memory, this map provides a glimpse into the diverse economic life of our community 100 years ago,” the release states.
There is no charge to attend History on Tap.
