Cultural Mosaics:

Honoring Black Life in Montgomery County, KY

This powerful exhibit takes you on a journey through the rich history, struggles, and remarkable achievements of Black people in Montgomery County, Kentucky. Featuring a collection of historical photographs, artifacts, and art by local Black artists, this exhibit highlights the resilience, strength, and contributions of the Black community to the fabric of the county. From the early days of segregation to modern-day triumphs, witness how perseverance and passion have shaped the local landscape. Creating a vivid narrative of history, culture, and the enduring spirit of the Black community in Montgomery County.

OPEN FOR IN-PERSON VIEWING JANUARY 25 - MARCH 15

VIRTUAL EXHIBIT BELOW

The Challenges of Documenting Local Black History

The process of documenting Black history in rural communities like Mt. Sterling & Montgomery County is fraught with challenges. Historical erasure, systemic racism, and a lack of resources have contributed to the scarcity of records and narratives about Black lives in these regions. Many stories have been lost due to the absence of preservation efforts, while others have remained untold because of historical neglect, systemic racism, and marginalization. Primary sources, such as photographs, oral histories, and documents, are often scattered or inaccessible, making it difficult to piece together a cohesive narrative.

Additionally, Black populations in rural areas, including Mt. Sterling & Montgomery County, have faced significant barriers to community sustainability. Outmigration, driven by economic necessity and the search for more inclusive environments, has led to a decline in Black populations in many rural communities. This demographic shift exacerbates the challenge of preserving history, as fewer individuals remain to share their stories and memories.

See a face you recognize with no name listed? Contact beth@grackentucky.org and let her know!

James E. Magowan

James E. Magowan (1870-1933) was a successful businessman and a community leader. He was born in Montgomery County, KY, the son of Amanda and John Wesley Magowan, and he was a brother to John, Noah, Susan, and Emily Magowan. The family lived in Smithville, KY. James Magowan, his brothers, and sister, Susan, all attended the Academy at Berea. As an adult, James Magowan was a real estate agent, loans and collecting agent, notary public, carpenter, contractor, and owner of the Magowan Theater and the colored skating rink in Mt. Sterling. James Magowan developed the Lincoln View Cemetery next to Olive Hill Cemetery in Smithville.

The Lincoln View Cemetery opened on April 1, 1929, with James Magowan as president, his son, Jesse E., 1st vice president, and his wife, Lizzie, his daughter, Sarah, and his son-in-law and daughter, Watson D. Banks and Estella Magowan Banks, were board members. James Magowan established a subdivision for African Americans next to the cemetery, and he owned and managed the waterline to the homes, charging a monthly fee for the service. He established the Mt. Sterling Colored Fair Association in 1909. He was owner of the James E. Magowan Grocery Store, which was located within the J. E. Magowan Hall (built in 1914) at the corner of East Locust and Fox Streets. James Magowan leased-out the grocery store and other space within the building.

James E. Magowan was also a school teacher for six years, and he led the effort to extend the gas line into Smithville.  In 1915 he was president of the organization that had a sidewalk completed from the city limits of Mt. Sterling to the entrance of Olive Hill Cemetery. James Avenue in Mt. Sterling was named in his honor. James E. Magowan is buried in the Lincoln View Cemetery in Mt. Sterling, KY.

(Notable Kentucky African Americans Database)

Community

  • Historic photo of J.E. Magowan Hall, built in 1914 in Eastern Kentucky. The building featured a store, dining room, offices, and a second-floor lodge and dance hall, proudly Black-owned and nearly fireproof with galvanized iron-style brick exterior.

    J. E. Magowan Hall

    One of the largest and most complete building of its kind owned by a black person in Eastern Kentucky at the time

  • Typed letter from The Magowan Theatre dated Dec 1, 1916, notifying James Magewan of the transfer of building possession. The letter notes the theater was operated “For Colored People Only By White Managers."

    The Magowan Theatre - J. E. Magowan Hall

    The Theatre which showed “Pictures of Quality” and “Refined Vaudeville”, was housed in J.E. Magowan Hall.

  • Poster for the 1923 Montgomery County Colored Fair Association in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, held August 8–11. It highlights daily running and trotting races and lists P.L. Hensley as president and James E. Magowan as secretary.

    Montgomery County Colored Fair Association Poster, 1923

    Highlights daily running and trotting races and lists P.L. Hensley as President and James E. Magowan as Secretary.

  • Vintage 1916 program from The Magowan Theatre in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, thanking patrons and promoting the serial “Peg O’ The Ring.” The theatre catered to Black audiences during segregation, operated by white managers Wilkerson & Taul.

    The Magowan Theatre Programme

    1916, Thanking patrons and promoting the serial “Peg O’ The Ring.”

  • Stock certificate for the Montgomery County Colored Fair Association in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, issued to W.M. Anderson in 1929 for one $25 share, highlighting Black community investment and organization during the Jim Crow era.

    Stock Certificate for the Montgomery County Colored Fair Association, 1929

    Issued to W.M. Anderson for one $25 share.

  • Vintage poster promoting The Magowan Theatre, a segregated movie house built for African Americans in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. It highlights top film features, state-of-the-art equipment, and welcoming language aimed at Black audiences during the Jim

    The Magowan Theatre Advertisment

  • Vintage poster advertising real estate, cemetery support, and theater events for Mt. Sterling’s Black community. It includes sale listings by James E. Magowan, Olive Hill Cemetery updates, showtimes and rules for The Magowan Theatre.

    James E. Magowan Real Estate Advertisment

  • Vintage flyer announcing Brunner’s shoe sale, movie screenings at The Magowan Theatre including “Peg O’ The Ring” and “The Steel Trust,” and a Royal Dancing Club event with live music in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. Admission listed as 50 cents.

    Advertisment, 1916

    Sales, Movie Showings, and Events

  • Vintage flyer advertising movie showings at The Magowan Theatre on June 30 and July 1, 1916, with titles like “Peace At Any Price” and “Lord’s of High Decision,” plus local promotions and diamond ring coupon giveaway details.

    Advertisment, 1916

    Sales, Movie Showings, and Coupons

  • Flyer for the Montgomery County Colored Fair advertising four big dances with live music from Wednesday to Saturday night. Includes a campaign ad for Lee A. Reed, a Railroad Commissioner candidate, noting his military service and request for support.

    Montgomery County Colored Fair Ad, Hazel Green Campaign Ad

  • A vintage photograph of two men with horses and a cart in front of a large wooden barn, accompanied by an article about P. L. Hensly’s racehorses “Alceo” and “Templebar” in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.

    P.L. Hensly's Racehorses "Alceo" and "Templebar"

  • The Reporter, Mt. Sterling, KY, April 14, 1906

    Includes portraits of N. W. Magowan and J. D. Magowan, various articles, a subscription notice, and an editorial titled “Second Miles: one.”

  • Two Black horse jockeys interact with horses on a dirt street in front of a brick building during a county court day in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. Horse-drawn wagons and a "Dry Goods" sign are visible in the background.

    "Horse Jockeys, Typical County Court Day Scene on the Streets of Mt. Sterling"

  • Black-and-white photo of staff standing outside Stockton's Electric Dry Cleaning Company in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. An advertisement offering alterations and repairs for ladies’ and gents’ garments, including the business name and phone number.

    Stockton’s Electric Dry Cleaning, c. 1910

    Owned by E.W. Stockton. Mr. Stockton was also a tailor by trade. Courtesy of Montgomery County History Museum.

  • Black-and-white photo of four well-dressed Black men standing outside a barbershop marked "C.F. Fisher" with striped barber pole. The building has ornate stone architecture and signage for other local businesses like "Sentinel" and "Laughlin Co."

    Barber Shop in the Redmond Building

    Courtesy of Laura Tipton.

  • Black-and-white photo of a group of men, mostly Black, standing outside a small grocery store with signs for Wrigley’s gum and Pathé films. A man in a white apron stands at the entrance beside hanging bananas.

    V.M. Hainline’s Grocery Store, c. 1910

    Courtesy of Montgomery County History Museum.

  • A firefighter in full gear stands in front of a burning house at night, with smoke pouring from the roof and a ladder propped against the side of the home.

    Fireman Booker T. George, Jr. at a House Fire on Mitchell Street, March 1987

    Courtesy of Booker T. George.

  • Four well-dressed individuals pose together in front of a house, smiling slightly for the camera. The two men wear suits and hats, while the women are in modest dresses, standing close in a friendly, familial manner.

    Booker T. George, Sr., Elizabeth Coleman, Sarah Margaret Long, Ellis George, 1940

    Names listed left to right. Courtesy of Booker T. George.

  • Black-and-white photo of a jazz band performing on stage. Five men in formal attire play piano, saxophones, bongos, and drums. A handwritten note identifies "Mr. Allen Hodges playing the drums" with an arrow pointing to him.

    Mr. Allen Hodges Playing the Drums

  • The Mt. Sterling Cornet Band, composed of Black musicians in uniform, poses with brass instruments and drums in front of a weathered wall, capturing a moment of community pride and musical tradition.

    The Mt. Sterling Cornet Band

  • Black-and-white photo of a jazz band with seven musicians playing saxophone, piano, and upright bass. Two members are identified as Allen Hodges and Sammy Robertson. They perform in a dimly lit venue with music stands and instruments.

    Allen Hodges, Sammy Robertson & the Band

  • Black-and-white photo of six adults standing in a row, smiling and posing casually outside a wooden building. Their clothing suggests the early 20th century. Two children peek curiously from the right edge, adding charm to the candid moment.

    Anna Jewell Black, unknown, India Thomas Davis, Miss R. Mildred Gatewood, and J. Roger Jones.

    Names listed left to right. Courtesy of Brenda Ralls.

  • A group of people march peacefully at night down a city street during the holiday season, holding candles. A “Noel” sign hangs from a nearby tree, and one marcher wears a shirt with Dr. King’s image.

    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March, c 1970.

    KMSE Pastor and Sister Roy Hudson with Booker and Violet George. Courtesy of Booker George.

  • A Black family poses outdoors in early 20th-century attire, lined up in front of a wooden fence and hillside. The group includes five adults, two young men, and one young girl, all dressed formally for the portrait.

    Gertie and Bill Williams, Maggie Mynhier Jackson, Odie Mae Mynhier Gay, Oscar Gay, Fred Henderson, Charlie Gay, and Fannie Williams.

    Names listed left to right with Fannie in front. Courtesy of Reese Gay.

  • Four people stand arm-in-arm in the middle of a residential street, smiling at the camera. A sign on the building behind them reads “Magowan Building.” A vintage car and utility poles hint at the photo’s early-mid 20th century era.

    Walter Owings, Ethel Gay, Henery Brown, Sr., and Ida Gay on West Locust Street.

    Courtesy of Brenda Ralls.

  • A group of well-dressed individuals, possibly attending a formal event or funeral, stands outside a house. A man in a white suit stands in the foreground while others, dressed mostly in dark clothing, gather behind him.

    Funeral Director W.D. Banks in White With Mourners Attending a Funeral at High Street Christian Church.

    Courtesy of Booker T. George.

  • A vintage photograph of four men standing outdoors, each holding a rifle. They are dressed in coats and hats, with one man in the far left having a distinctive mark on his coat. The scene looks like a hunting or group portrait.

    The Moxley Family, 1911

    Courtesy of Ann Dragoo.

  • Black and white portrait of two men with shaved heads, arms around each other in a close embrace. They look directly at the camera with serious, thoughtful expressions, conveying a deep bond and shared strength.

    Wayne and Dwayne Green, 2018

    Wayne Green had been a Mt. Sterling police officer for 21 years when he was named acting chief and made history.

    He is the first Black person to hold the position since the town was established in 1792. Above, Wayne left is pictured with his identical twin brother, Dwayne Green.

    "We've been best friends for 55 years," says Wayne. Dwane is a retired Winchester police officer.

    Photograph: Liam James Doyle

  • Black and white photo of a smiling healthcare worker embracing an elderly woman with a bandage over one eye. Both women appear joyful, radiating warmth and connection in a moment of care and compassion.

    Dr. Carmella Fletcher-Green hugs Juanita Vice at Windsor Care Center, 2018

    Carmela Fletcher-Green's dedication to medicine began in childhood. In high school, she volunteered 3,000 hours at Mary Chiles Hospital, now St. Joseph Mt. Sterling.

    Determined and with help from her community and high school, she earned a degree in biology and an additional bachelor's in physician assistant studies at the University of Kentucky. "Choosing to be a PA has been a blessing to me," she says.

  • Black and white photo of a caregiver tending to an elderly woman sitting in a chair near a sunlit window. The scene is intimate and warm, capturing a quiet moment of care, dignity, and connection in a home setting.

    Tony Douthitt and His Mother, Irene Douthitt, 2018

    Tony Douthitt sometimes wakes at 3 a.m. to his 99-year-old mother asking if it's time to go to church. Nearly every other day, Irene Douthitt wonders what day it is.

    Tony has been baking for 42 years. It began as a hobby he discovered when he was a teenager. He is also an amazing vocal artist.

    Tony's mantra is, "My thing is, you be nice to other people, they'll be nice to you."

P.W.L. Jones

Black-and-white photo of a well-dressed African American man seated at a roll-top desk in an office. The room has shelves, papers, and a telephone on a side table. Pennants hang on the wall behind him.

P.W.L. Jones was born in 1878 in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky to Daniel and Sue (Thomas) Jones. His father, Daniel Jones, served in the Union Army from 1864 to 1866. Named William Lawrence Jones at birth, P.W.L. Jones earned the nickname of "Paul" from classmates because of his early love of history and interest in John Paul Jones.

An 1898 graduate of KSU (then Kentucky Normal School for Colored Persons), P.W.L. Jones later went on to become a professor of history and Academic Dean at KSU (then Kentucky Normal and Industrial Institute). He worked at KSU between 1907 and 1928. Along with teaching and administrative duties, he also helped form and served as coach and manager of early baseball, football, and track teams at the school, which earned him the title of "Father of Athletics."

Incorporating his interest in education and athletics, Jones was a member of the Kentucky Negro Education Association, wrote a column for Spalding's Football Guide from 1928 until his death, contributed articles to The Crisis and wrote and published A History of K.N.I.I. in 1912. Jones used one of these volumes to record updates on the faculty, staff and alumni up through 1920.

(Kentucky State University)

School

  • Black-and-white photo of a one-story brick school building with large multi-pane windows and a central entrance framed by columns. The sidewalk and neatly trimmed bushes suggest a well-maintained educational facility.

    The DuBois School (1939-1964)

    Mt. Sterling DuBois School was a Rosenwald School built in 1929.  This school taught grades 1-12 until August of 1964, as Black parents were preparing to boycott the city schools to protest a change in school integration plans, the school was burned down. Suspected arson involving kerosene. The one building that stands today is the gymnasium, which is now The DuBois Community Center.

  • Colorful mural on a brick building labeled "Du Bois Community Center" with a portrait of W.E.B. Du Bois and his quote: “Education must not simply teach work. It must teach life.”

    The DuBois Community Center, 2025

  • Vintage photo of a school band posing onstage with instruments, including brass, woodwinds, and percussion. The group of young musicians sits proudly in uniform beneath a banner that reads "L.E. Black MSH Band."

    The DuBois School Band

  • Colorful photo of a lively downtown parade with a marching band and baton twirlers in yellow skirts. Crowds line the street, vintage cars parked nearby, and storefront signs glow in the afternoon sun.

    DuBois School Cheerleaders at Downtown Mt. Sterling Parade

    Circa 1950s/60s

  • Black-and-white photo of a science teacher conducting a chemistry experiment in front of a chalkboard. He wears a vest and tie with a protective apron, surrounded by lab equipment including flasks, tubes, and test tubes on the table.

    Mr. Elster

    11th and 12th grade teacher at DuBois. He taught chemistry, geometry, shop, and agriculture. Courtesy of Brenda Ralls.

  • Black-and-white photo of 5 black students seated around a wooden table in a library, surrounded by bookshelves. One girl writes in a notebook while others look on, capturing a moment of quiet focus and collaboration in a classroom setting.

    Students in the Library at DuBois School

    Right to left: Miller Jones, Georgia Mack, Algetha Stockton, Janetta Hawkins, and James B. Smathers. Courtesy of Brenda Ralls.

  • Black-and-white team photo of a high school football squad with players in uniform and two suited coaches. Below, a handwritten roster lists all team members, including captain Clarence Rash, preserving names and pride in athletic history.

    The DuBois School Football Team

  • Black-and-white photograph of a young black woman in graduation cap and gown, standing beside an ornate chair. Her composed expression and formal pose reflect pride and achievement, set against an elegant studio backdrop.

    Sallie E. Fletcher

    She graduated May 14, 1937 at the Montgomery County Training School aged 18. Courtesy of Brenda Ralls.

  • Black-and-white photo of a young black man in a graduation cap and gown standing in a crowded auditorium. Surrounded by seated family and community members.

    Booker T. George

Samuel Keas

Samuel Keas was a land owner, farmer, and cattle owner. Keas Street in Montgomery County, KY is named for him.

In 1878 Keas became the first pastor and namesake for the Keas Tabernacle C.M.E. Church in Mt. Sterling, KY. Along with Bishop Miles from Louisville, KY and with the aid of Mrs. Eliza Magowan and Mr. Willis Magowan, Keas organized the church in a former school building. Future additions to this small church would be built around the existing structure, but the footprint remains the same, even today. Keas was a well-known and respected preacher prior to the Civil War, serving as a beacon to the black community in Montgomery County.

On August 17, 1856 he conducted a baptism at Lublegrud Creek in Montgomery County and performed the marriage of Patsy Magowan to Edward Howard on September 18, 1858. Samuel and his wife Nannie [Rebecca] had three children: daughters Amanda and Betty and son Allen.

(Notable Kentucky African Americans Database)

Churches

  • A faded, vintage photograph of the C.M.E. Church exterior, showing a large brick building with arched windows and a central tower.

    The KEAS Tabernacle Christain Methodist Episcopal Church

  • Vintage photo of C.M.E. Sunday School officers and teachers posed inside a church. Group of men and women in formal early 20th-century clothing. Text includes names: Alexander Bowen, Superintendent, and Miss Wellsie Davis, Secretary.

    The KEAS Tabernacle Christain Methodist Episcopal Church Sunday School Officers and Teachers

  • Faded photograph of officers and teachers of Evergreen Baptist Church Sunday School, posed indoors. Includes men, women, and children in early 20th-century dress. Caption names James Stewart as Superintendent and Elizabeth Settles as Secretary.

    Evergreen Baptist Church Sunday School Officers and Teachers

  • Black-and-white photo of a large group of African American men and boys in suits, posed on church steps. Some hold hats or canes. Banners hang on either side of the brick church entrance behind them.

    The Knights of Pythias, at High Street Christian Church, 1915

    Courtesy of Booker T. George

  • Vintage church collection card from C.M.E. Church, Mt. Sterling, KY, requesting a member to take up Sunday collections. Includes spaces for name, date, and amount, and lists church officers including Rev. J. S. Webb and others.

    The KEAS Tabernacle Christain Methodist Episcopal Church Collection Card

  • Historic black-and-white photo of a large group of African American women and girls posed on church steps, dressed in early 20th-century attire. One woman holds a banner that reads “Loyal Workers.”

    The Loyal Ladies of the Knights of Pythias at High Street Christian Church, 1915

    Courtesy of Booker T. George

  • Black and white photo of an elderly man sitting alone in a church pew, hands clasped in reflection or prayer, with light streaming through stained glass windows behind him. The mood is quiet and contemplative.

    Gregory Bonner Pauses for His Daily Prayers in the Sanctuary of KEAS Tabernacle Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 2018

William Wells Brown

Black-and-white portrait illustration of William Wells Brown, wearing a light-colored coat, high-collared shirt, and cravat. His name is handwritten at the bottom of the image.
Title page of Clotel; or, The President’s Daughter: A Narrative of Slave Life in the United States by William Wells Brown, published in 1853 in London. Text notes Brown as a fugitive slave and includes a quote from the Declaration of Independence.

William Wells Brown (1814–1884) was an American abolitionist, novelist, playwright, and historian. Born into slavery near Mount Sterling, Kentucky, Brown escaped to Ohio in 1834 at the age of 19. He settled in Boston, Massachusetts, where he worked for abolitionist causes and became a prolific writer. While working for abolition, Brown also supported causes including: temperance, women's suffrage, pacifism, prison reform, and an anti-tobacco movement. His novel Clotel (1853), considered the first novel written by an African American, was published in London, England, where he resided at the time. It was later published in the United States.

Military

  • Historic Civil War–era recruitment poster urges “Men of Color” to enlist in the Union Army, calling it a fight for liberty and survival. Bold phrases like “NOW OR NEVER” and “FAIL NOW, & OUR RACE IS DOOMED” dominate

    Service Recruitment Poster

    Historic Civil War–era recruitment poster urges “Men of Color” to enlist in the Union Army, calling it a fight for liberty and survival.

  • Historic Civil War–era “Declaration of Recruit” document dated June 4th, 1864, for Samuel Jones, who volunteered in Greensburgh, Pennsylvania. The form is handwritten and signed, detailing his enlistment in the U.S. Army for a three-year term.

    Samuel Jones Declaration of Recruit

    Historic Civil War–era “Declaration of Recruit” document dated June 4th, 1864, for Samuel Jones of Montgomery County, Kentucky, who volunteered in Greensburgh, Pennsylvania. The form is handwritten and signed, detailing his enlistment in the U.S. Army for a three-year term.

  • Official 1864 enlistment form for the United States Colored Troops, signed by Samuel Jones of Montgomery County, Kentucky. The document confirms his commitment to serve three years in the Union Army, swearing allegiance and fitness for military duty.

    Samuel Jones Enlistment Form

    Official 1864 enlistment form for the United States Colored Troops, signed by Samuel Jones of Montgomery County, Kentucky. The document confirms his commitment to serve three years in the Union Army, swearing allegiance and fitness for military duty.

  • Black-and-white photo of African American veterans in white uniforms and military caps marching in formation, holding flags and rifles during a parade. Trees and onlookers line the background

    WWII Veterans

    Right to left: Everett “Pappy Jones, unknown, Walter Jones, L.C. Black, William Elster, Harrison Jones. Courtesy of Brenda Ralls.

  • Black-and-white group photograph of African American men in suits and uniforms, posed in rows inside a hall.

    WWII Veterans

    Courtesy of Brenda Ralls.

  • Black-and-white group photo of African American veterans and women posed in front of a house, flanked by American and military flags. The women wear white uniforms while the men are in suits and military attire

    American Legion Post 222 Ladies Auxilliary and Their Husbands, WWII

    Courtesy of Brenda Ralls.

  • WWII Era Black-and-white photograph of a smiling African American soldier wearing a military cap and long double-breasted overcoat, standing indoors beside a window.

    Edward Jones, WWII

    Montgomery County Draftee. Courtesy of Brenda Ralls.

  • Black-and-white studio portrait of a young African American soldier in uniform, wearing a garrison cap and tie. A flower-shaped military patch is visible on his shoulder, symbolizing his service during World War II.

    Ernest Coons, WWII

    Montgomery County Draftee. Courtesy of Brenda Ralls.

  • Black-and-white photo of a smiling man leaning out of a bus window, holding a sandwich and napkin. Another man grins behind him. Their joyful expressions capture a candid moment of camaraderie.

    Mr. Overstreeet “Chalk Eye”, WWII

    Montgomery County Draftee. Courtesy of Brenda Ralls.

  • Black-and-white photograph of an African American sailor in full Navy uniform, standing at attention with a rifle. The sailor’s confident stance and formal attire reflect pride and discipline.

    Allen Hunter Barnes, WWII

    Montgomery County Draftee. Courtesy of Brenda Ralls.

James Mitchell

Stone memorial pillar engraved with "Montgomery County Kentucky" and the name "James Mitchell" with the date "06.15.1882," commemorating a lynching victim. The structure is part of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice.

James Mitchell (1859–1882) was a Black man from Montgomery County who was lynched in downtown Mt. Sterling on June 15, 1882.

According to genealogist Vicki Wells Cox of Past Generations LLC, "On June the 14th, 1882, Mr. Mitchell was at work." Around lunchtime that day, she explains, there was an altercation. "According to the victim—the alleged victim—it involved a white woman."

Following the incident, the sheriff brought Mitchell to the jail in downtown Mt. Sterling. Later that night, he was forcibly removed. "At 9:00 that night, five masked gunmen came... they took him to the railroad trestle, which was in one of two possible locations," says Cox. No one was ever held accountable for the lynching.

In 2015, the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) launched a nationwide effort to acknowledge and commemorate victims of racial terror through its Community Soil Collection Project. The initiative invites local communities to collect soil from lynching sites as a tangible way to confront the legacy of racial violence and to honor those who were killed. These jars of soil are now part of an exhibit at The Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, which features over 800 jars collected from across the country.

“In this soil, there is the sweat of the enslaved. In the soil, there is the blood of victims of racial violence and lynching. There are tears in the soil from all those who labored under the indignation and humiliation of segregation. But in the soil there is also the opportunity for new life—a chance to grow something hopeful and healing for the future.”
— Bryan Stevenson, EJI Executive Director

Local leaders, NAACP representatives, and members of EJI gathered at the site of James Mitchell’s lynching to share his story, honor his life, and participate in the soil collection project. One jar of soil was sent to Montgomery, Alabama, where it joins hundreds of others memorializing Black individuals who were lynched. The second jar remains in Mt. Sterling as a local reminder of the tragedy and its enduring impact.

James Mitchell’s name is among more than 800 engraved on monuments at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, where steel columns commemorate African Americans lynched across the United States between 1877 and 1950.

Struggle for Equality

  • 1848 handwritten bill of sale documenting the sale of an enslaved woman named Eliza for $650 by Anderson Alexander, related to the estate of Shelby Waller. The note is signed and witnessed, evidencing the legal trade of enslaved people.

    Bill of Sale for Enslaved Woman Named Eliza, 1848

    Handwritten bill of sale documenting the sale of an enslaved woman named Eliza for $650 by Anderson Alexander, related to the estate of Shelby Waller. The note is signed and witnessed, evidencing the legal trade of enslaved people.

  • 1863 handwritten letter endorsing Anderson Chinault, a Union supporter, seeking military help to recover an enslaved person who escaped. Signed by several officials affirming his character and request for assistance from Union forces.

    Letter of Endorsement for Slave Recovery Request – Mt. Sterling, KY, 1863

    Handwritten letter, dated July 25, 1863, was written by Capt. W.S. Williams to Col. Gilbert, endorsing local citizen Anderson Chinault. In the letter, Capt. Williams vouches for Chinault’s character and loyalty to the Union, describing him as “as true a Union man as any in the state of Ky.” The purpose of the letter is to request assistance from Union forces in locating and returning an enslaved person who had escaped from Chinault several months prior. The letter is co-signed by multiple officials, including the provost marshal, court attorney, and other regional authorities, reflecting the cooperation between local leadership and Union forces in upholding slavery despite the ongoing Civil War.

  • 1833 handwritten bill of sale documenting the sale of a 15-year-old enslaved boy named James to Anderson Chenault for $500, warranting him as “sound and healthy.” Signed by Isaac Oliver and witnessed by others.

    Bill of Sale for Enslaved Boy Named James, 1833

    Handwritten bill of sale documenting the sale of a 15-year-old enslaved boy named James to Anderson Chenault for $500, warranting him as “sound and healthy.” Signed by Isaac Oliver and witnessed by others.

  • 1882 newspaper article titled “Swift Vengeance” reports the lynching of Jim Mitchell in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, using racially charged and inflammatory language to justify mob violence following an unproven accusation.

    Newspaper Clipping, "Swift Vengeance: A Brutal Ravisher Hanged From A Railroad Bridge", June 15th, 1882

    Reports the lynching of Jim Mitchell in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, using racially charged and inflammatory language to justify mob violence following an unproven accusation.

  • Newspaper clipping headline: “2 Negro Buildings Burn in Kentucky.” The article reports fires in Mt. Sterling, including one at the DuBois School amid integration tensions, with suspected arson. Authorities, including the FBI, are investigating.

    Newspaper Clipping, "2 Negro Buildings Burn in Kentucky", August 30th, 1964

    As Black parents were preparing to boycott the city schools to protest a change in school integration plans, The Dubois School was burned down. Suspected arson involving kerosene.

    Also burned was a building owned by local NAACP leader W. D. Banks.

Nancy Green

Black and white photograph of Nancy Green, known for portraying "Aunt Jemima." She is wearing a large hat and scarf, looking directly at the camera with a calm, composed expression.
Vintage Aunt Jemima’s Pancake Flour ad featuring a caricatured Black woman in a red bandana, promoting pancake mix, with smaller images of “rag doll” family figures and stacks of pancakes.

Nancy Green (1834-1923) was born enslaved in Mt. Sterling, in Montgomery County, Kentucky. Sometime during her late teens, early twenties Green obtained her freedom and began work in Covington as a nanny and housekeeper for the Walker family. The family relocated from Covington to Chicago, taking Green with them.

Years later, on the recommendation of Walker’s son, then a judge, Green was hired by the R.T. Davis Milling Company in Missouri to represent “Aunt Jemima,” an advertising character named after a song from a minstrel show. She was the woman who served as the face of one of the most popular brands for more than 100 years.

Green made her debut at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago, embodying the intentionally designed role of America’s “Mammy,” “Aunt Jemima.” Although Aunt Jemima became a household name for a century, the world does not know that Green defied the mammy caricature’s derogatory image.

Green was a philanthropist who was one of the founding members of the Olivet Baptist Church, once the largest African-American church in the United States, with a membership at that time of over 9,000. Green used her economic power to advocate against poverty and support organizations fighting for equal rights.

(Kentucky Center for African American Heritage)

Art

  • Handmade quilt featuring colorful patchwork rectangles with polka dots and prints, bordered by red-and-white sashing. Displayed hanging on a wall, it has a soft, textured finish that highlights its handcrafted detail.

    Quilt

    by Mattie Clemons

  • A hand-drawn portrait of Fred Hampton on a brown paper bag shows him in profile wearing a hat and jacket, with handwritten text noting his role in the Black Panther Party and leadership of the Illinois chapter.

    Bag Art

    by Ethan Dunn

  • A hand-drawn tribute to Jesse Owens on a brown paper bag features his name in bold letters, a winged foot illustration, and text noting his historic win of four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics as a Black track and field athlete.

    Bag Art

    by Ethan Dunn

  • On a brown paper bag explains the Rainbow Coalition, featuring handwritten text about its 1969 founding and a large drawing of a black panther, with colorful lines in the background.

    Bag Art

    by Ethan Dunn

  • Framed artwork shows a smiling black child, a golden teddy bear with a heart, a red building, and an image of gymnast Gabby Douglas, all illustrated in vibrant pastel colors with a dreamy, uplifting background

    I Recall

    by Lauren Jackson

  • A realistic drawing of worn black Converse sneakers with untied laces rests against a soft pink background, framed in black and signed by the artist in the bottom right corner.

    Retired Memories

    by Lauren Jackson

  • Framed artwork of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. passionately speaking at a podium with multiple microphones in black and white, set against a bold orange and yellow background

    The Dream

    by Lauren Jackson

  • A vibrant painting on wood shows a black man sitting on a sidewalk with head down, surrounded by large teardrops, a palm tree, and a setting sun

    Day of Dream

    by Micheal Minter

  • Expressive painting on wood shows a red hooded figure sitting on a bench, holding melting purple shapes dripping into a vibrant puddle, with rolling green hills, a glowing sun, and colorful teardrops in the background

    Soul of Sorrows

    by Michael Minter

  • A handcrafted wooden and stone-textured plaque reads "Leaving Daniel Boone National Forest" with U.S. Forest Service insignia and "Glen R. Scott" engraved at the base, honoring service with the U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Leaving Daniel Boone National Forest

    by Glen R. Scott

  • A glossy, dark ceramic bust of Nancy Green with detailed facial features and a textured head wrap sits on a light wooden pedestal, displayed against a bold red wall

    Bust of Nancy Green

    by Diane Howell

  • Framed pencil drawing on aged paper depicts Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. beside a large wooden cross, symbolizing his faith and leadership. Subtle background details include a vase and shading that frames the powerful central figure

    Still Dreaming

    by Janet Tompkins

  • Framed portrait of Breonna Taylor in grayscale with a golden halo behind her head, surrounded by raised fists and protest phrases like “No Justice No Peace” and “Say Their Names,” honoring her legacy and the fight for justice

    Breonna Taylor

    by Nancy Lewis

  • Colorful painting of three joyful black women in stylish outfits walking away from a white church under a bright blue sky, surrounded by trees and fluffy clouds. The cheerful scene captures community, fashion, and faith

    Together in Love

    by DeJuan Brown