History on Tap will feature Christian County survivors of slavery

The stories come from newspaper biographies written by a former Hopkinsville mayor in 1934.

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.

(Hoptown Chronicle illustration)

“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. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.