International Museum of the Horse Seeks to Preserve Legacy of African Americans in Equine Industry

LEXINGTON, Ky.- The International Museum of the Horse is pleased to announce two upcoming opportunities to preserve the legacy of African Americans in the equine industry. History Harvests will be held on April 13, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and on May 18, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, at 300 East 3rd Street, Lexington, KY 40508.

The events provide opportunities for community participants to bring items that relate to African Americans working with horses, to the Lyric Theatre to be scanned and photographed. A conversation station and refreshments will encourage attendees to connect with each other and discuss their images, documents, and memorabilia. At the May event, there will be appointments available to record oral histories. To sign up for an oral history time, email ChronicleInfo@ky.gov.

The History Harvests are free, public events dedicated to uncovering, sharing, and digitizing items of historical significance for inclusion in the forthcoming website, the Chronicle of African Americans in the Horse Industry. All participants will also be given a digital copy of their contributions to keep. The museum does not keep the participant’s items. Only scanned images, digital photographs, or audio recordings will be archived, with permission, for future use on the website.

Community partners for the event include Phoenix Rising Lex and the Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, who are promoting the event in Lexington’s East End neighborhood. This area is significant to hold the first History Harvests, as the East End was home to the Kentucky Association racetrack, a source of steady employment for the influx of African Americans into Lexington between 1860-1870.

The IMH plans to hold more History Harvests in additional communities. They also offer the option of recording oral histories at the museum or visiting contributors at their home.