The state of Kentucky introduced an African American Heritage Trail today, offering visitors nearly 50 primary sites and several additional locations that bring centuries of Black history to life. From museums and monuments to historic churches and schools, the trail provides a comprehensive look at the individuals and communities who helped to shape Kentucky’s history and culture.
Timed to coincide with Juneteenth celebrations across Kentucky, the trail officially launched on June 16, 2025. “The trail is a bridge between education and exploration that elevates voices that have too often been left out of the broader historical narrative,” Governor Andy Beshear told Travel + Leisure. “By positioning these culturally significant sites as tourism destinations, the trail stimulates local economies, supports small businesses, and creates job opportunities in communities whose stories deserve to be heard and celebrated.”
Visitors can begin their exploration at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, which hosts weekly events and serves as a resource for supporting the state’s Black community.
One of the most popular sites along the trail is the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville. Dedicated to the boxing legend and humanitarian, the center explores Ali’s Kentucky roots, impact on civil rights, and global humanitarian efforts. The center is also an educational hub, promoting values such as respect, confidence, and dedication—principles Ali championed throughout his life.
Another significant stop, the Seek Museum, shares powerful, often overlooked stories of slavery and the quest for freedom, equality, and justice. Through educational exhibits housed in seven historic buildings across two National Register Districts, visitors are encouraged to seek knowledge, truth, and understanding. The museum operates two sites: the Bibb House, focusing on slavery and emancipation until 1865, and The Bottom, highlighting the post–Civil War resilience and civil rights efforts of a community shaped by segregation and racial injustice.
Further south, Camp Nelson National Historic Monument in Jessamine County tells the story of African American Union soldiers during the Civil War. This former military supply depot became a recruitment and training center for African American troops, many of whom brought their families seeking freedom. The site includes a museum and interpretive trails.
Other notable trail locations include the Portal 31 Coal Mine in Lynch, which highlights the contributions of Black miners in the Appalachian coal industry, and Simmons College of Kentucky, one of the state’s oldest historically Black colleges. In Louisville, Roots 101 African American Museum offers immersive exhibits that trace African American history from Africa to modern America.
Trail sites will be accessible on Apple Maps and Kentucky Tourism’s website. For more information, visit the Kentucky Tourism website at kentuckytourism.com.
