A local nonprofit hopes to eventually establish a permanent Black history museum in Western Kentucky to house other historical artifacts, as well as the LaFrance paintings.
The Back2Back Foundation, raising money through a concert Long leads every year in Hopkinsville, provides help to families in need in Christian, Todd and Trigg counties.
The Human Rights Commission of Hopkinsville-Christian County, the local museum, Pioneers Inc., Black-owned food vendors and Hopkinsville Brewing will be involved in the emancipation celebrations.
Paula Gieseke, an art teacher at Christian County High School, painted two large pieces on a downtown building that was originally part of the Ellis Ice and Coal Co. plant.
