“A Sense of Place” a community discussion remembering and celebrating the rich history of Fayette County’s Rural Black Hamlets, is taking place at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 23, at Jimtown Baptist Church, 2236 Jimtown Lane.
With more than 20 historic hamlets identified in Fayette County, the “A Sense of Place” Steering Committee is focused on ensuring that these communities are celebrated, respected, and remembered. The program Tuesday will include an opportunity for the public to provide input, share stories, and help us connect the work across Lexington’s hamlets.
The Steering Committee is planning to officially launch the campaign of celebrating Lexington’s Rural Black Hamlets on Juneteenth, which is June 19, a national holiday that celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
“Our hamlet communities are vital to the history of Lexington,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “It’s important to take time to appreciate them, preserve them, and show them respect.”
Hamlet communities are known for being places of religious, educational, and civic life. Churches, schools, grocery stores, and lodge halls were found in these communities, providing resources for residents.
The “A Sense of Place” Steering Committee was formed to educate and inform the Council and the public about the rich history of the hamlets in our rural communities, with the purpose of preserving and celebrating their history and heritage.
“The feedback we receive from these community gatherings is so important to the success of the hamlet project,” said Councilmember Kathy Plomin, who represents rural Fayette County. “They foster community engagement, as well as provide many rich stories and memories of the days many Lexington families spent in these rural settlements. Our plans are to reach out to numerous hamlets as we move forward with the initiative.”
“The gatherings are an opportunity for people who are connected to the hamlets to learn about ‘A Sense of Place’ and to provide input that will help guide the work of the steering committee,” said Tiffany Brown, Lexington’s Equity Officer, and chair of the Hamlets committee. “It is important that we do this work together and the community’s voice should be our guide.”
For more information, contact the Steering Committee at lexingtonhamletsproject@gmail.com.
