Building on the New Kentucky Home initiative, Gov. Andy Beshear joined tourism and community leaders on June 16 at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville to unveil a new statewide African American Heritage Trail featuring more than 50 sites that showcase how African Americans and their communities helped shape Kentucky and the nation.
The SEEK Museum in Russellville was recently listed on the statewide trail under the Caves, Lakes & Corvettes Region.
The SEEK Museum, 183 W 8th St, Russellville, explores Kentucky’s “Struggles for Emancipation and Equality.” The museum highlights the history of Alice Alison Dunnigan and the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, enslaved people, including those freed by Richard Bibb in the 1830s, and struggles for equality through exhibits on Civil War soldiers, racial violence, and segregation.
Logan County Tourist & Convention Commission Board Member Marie Gamble attended the event at the Muhammed Ali Center in Louisville to unveil the New African American Heritage Trail.
“I am extremely excited about the new African American Trail. I am very, very proud that Russellville and the SEEK Museum have this important opportunity,” Gamble said. “This trail will shine a spotlight on Russellville and hopefully bring us more national recognition.”
The SEEK Museum is excited about the new African American Heritage Trail that Kentucky Tourism has developed and looks forward to sharing our exhibits with more visitors, according to Gran Clark, president of Historic Russellville Inc. (dba SEEK Museum).
“Our museum was selected as one of the ‘Top 5 Cultural Heritage Destinations in Kentucky’ along with larger sites such as the Muhammad Ali Center and Mammoth Cave National Park, and we are thankful for this recognition of the importance of the history that we are preserving and sharing,” Clark said. “It is encouraging to have the state recognize the quality and importance of the museum, and there is one sentence that I personally enjoyed seeing in their materials, which was ‘Brilliant and proud Kentucky native Michael Morrow adeptly guides you through everything from the Liberia movement to the first Black woman to be White House correspondent, Alice Allison Dunnigan.’ ”
The museum is currently working on two new projects that will be completed soon, said Clark. One of them is part of the America 250 program, and it involves the identification of African Americans from Logan County who enlisted and served in the Civil War. Over 300 people have been identified. The museum is creating a database of their military service, working with the VA to obtain military gravestones, and creating an exhibit that will be open to the public beginning in August. The other current project is the creation of an educational film about Alice Dunnigan that will be added to curriculum materials for schools.
“We are so very proud of the SEEK Museum and Michael Morrow, who works tirelessly to preserve the history of Emancipation and Equality in Logan County,” said Dee Dee Brown, executive director of Logan County Tourism. “We are thankful to have the new trail to help drive visitor traffic to Logan County. We believe this effort will bring a positive economic impact to our entire county.”
Ahead of the Juneteenth holiday, the unveiling marks a significant step in celebrating and preserving the contributions of African American people across Kentucky and beyond. Thanks to an executive order by Gov. Beshear last year, Juneteenth is officially an executive branch holiday.
Other important trail sites in the Caves, Lakes & Corvettes area include:
- Franklin’s African American Heritage Center, located at 500 Jefferson Street, celebrates and preserves the achievements of African Americans in Simpson County and beyond. It encompasses three sites and offers tours, exhibits, genealogical research, a publication documenting local African American history, community space with a computer lab, a library, meeting rooms, space for large meetings, dinners, and other community events. Partially handicap accessible, it hosts various events and programs year-round.
- The Historic RailPark & Train Museum, Bowling Green, highlights the African American experience in railroads, showcasing the role of Pullman Porters and their contributions to labor rights and economic empowerment. Exhibits also focus on segregation, with displays in the original “Co
- lored” waiting room of the L&N Depot. Notable artifacts include the rare #109 Glasgow Railway Segregated Passenger Car. The museum offers tours and seasonal experiences and is fully accessible for all visitors. Located in Bowling Green, it connects history with the ongoing relevance of railroads.
- The Shake Rag Historic District in Bowling Green honors the resilience and contributions of its African American community. Established around Lee Square in 1802, it flourished with doctors, churches, schools, and businesses. Despite urban renewal displacing residents by 1960, key structures remain. Visitors can explore historic walking tours and the George Washington Carver Center and enjoy local venues like White Squirrel Brewery and The Mustang Club. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
“The trail not only keeps stories alive but also revives stories that have been forgotten. It’s time we shined a light on our past so we can build a better future together,” Gov. Beshear said. “By recognizing these historical sites as tourism destinations, the trail boosts local economies, supports small businesses and creates job opportunities in our new Kentucky home.”
Spearheaded by the Kentucky Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Heritage Council, the trail was developed to blend historical accuracy with cultural richness. The initiative not only brings Kentucky’s diverse stories to the forefront but also ensures that they are preserved and accessible for generations to come.
In addition to Gov. Beshear, several key community leaders were in attendance. Speakers included DeVone Holt, CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center; Betty Dobson, executive director of the Hotel Metropolitan and member of the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission; and Yvonne Giles, accomplished historian and author of Lexington’s African American Heritage Tour.
“This trail embodies the power of blending education, preservation and tourism,” said Lindy Casebier, secretary of the Tourism Arts and Heritage Cabinet. “By elevating local history, the people, places and often untold stories that shaped it, we are able to create meaningful and memorable visitor experiences.”
“I’m very proud that the Muhammad Ali Center is part of the Kentucky African American Heritage Trail,” said Devone Holt, president and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center. “We are excited to launch this landmark initiative from the Muhammad Ali Center, a place that celebrates one of the commonwealth’s greatest sons. I’m grateful to Gov. Beshear and Team Kentucky for prioritizing this work and for their continued partnership to bring greater visibility to the stories of Black Kentuckians.”
“The Kentucky African American Heritage Trail is a great addition to Kentucky’s thriving tourism industry,” said Betty Dobson, executive director of the Hotel Metropolitan. “The Kentucky African American Heritage Trail is for everyone. These sites will give traveling Americans a chance to experience the African American culture in a positive way, while creating goodwill and a better understanding of one another.”
The trail’s logo symbolizes the idea that no path is a straight line, just as Kentucky’s African American heritage is deeply embedded throughout the state. Spanning the commonwealth, the trail includes a wide range of sites, such as the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace in Hodgenville, the African American Heritage Center in Franklin, Berea College, Cherokee State Park in Hardin, the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate in Lexington, and many more. The full African American Heritage Trail is viewable on Apple Maps and the Kentucky Tourism website.
“This trail not only highlights the pivotal role African Americans have played in shaping Kentucky but also enhances the travel experience by offering authentic, meaningful connections to our shared heritage,” said Mike Mangeot, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Tourism. “Visitors are increasingly seeking immersive cultural experiences, and this initiative is a powerful way to showcase the depth and diversity of Kentucky’s story.”
The Kentucky Department of Tourism works to promote the commonwealth as a premier travel destination. Through strategic marketing initiatives and tourism programs, the department elevates Kentucky’s unique cultural and natural assets, from scenic landscapes to vibrant heritage. For more information about the trail, visit www.kentuckytourism.com.
