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Local historians to dedicate "Footprints" markers highlighting Richmond's Black history
Summary
A group of local historians described a multi-year project documenting Richmond's African-American commercial and civic history and announced a marker dedication at First Baptist Church of Richmond this coming Thursday; the city provided funding through Richmond Tourism.
A coalition of local historians presented the "Footprints" marker project to the Richmond Board of Commissioners on Feb. 24, describing discoveries about the city's historic Black commercial and civic institutions and announcing a marker dedication at First Baptist Church of Richmond.
Sharon Richards Mitchell, who said the marker project grew from four years of archival research and oral histories, recounted findings including historic Black-owned businesses on First Street, an African-American hospital and several congregations with roots back to the 19th century. She credited local researchers, Richmond Tourism and city funding for making the markers and printed materials possible.
"On Thursday, we will place the first marker at First Baptist Church of Richmond," Mitchell said, inviting residents to the dedication at 6 p.m. and asking families to bring memories. She described the project as a way to make visible a narrative that was previously overlooked and to celebrate Henry Allen Lane and other local figures recovered through the research.
Mayor BL and other commissioners praised the volunteers' work and noted the book and markers will be placed in local schools and county collections. Funding and recognition for the project were credited to Richmond Tourism and the city; board members also noted awards the book and project received from the Bluegrass Trust Foundation and the Kentucky Historical Society.
The presentation did not require a board vote. The dedication is scheduled for the coming Thursday at First Baptist Church of Richmond at the corner of Francis and Collins; the board encouraged public attendance.
