WKU News

The Kentucky Museum invites our campus and community to five new America250 events, which offer opportunities to reflect on our nation's history and engage in discussions about our democracy and civic institutions. Three programs will be held during the Fall semester, followed by two programs in the Spring semester. The programs are made possible by with funding from the Kentucky African American Heritage Council, Kentucky Humanities, and the Kentucky Museum Friends.

September 24 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. - New Americans in Kentucky

Join panelists for a discussion reflecting on Bowling Green’s history of welcoming residents from all over the globe, while learning more about the diverse international communities represented in southcentral Kentucky. Panelists will provide insights into how new Americans have shaped SOKY’s institutions and promote welcoming efforts that support the successful integrations of our newest Kentuckians.

Panel moderator Leyda Becker, BG International Communities Liaison with fellow panelists: Albert Mbanfu, Executive Director International Center of Kentucky; and others.

Sponsored by the Kentucky Museum Friends.

October 15, 5 to 6pm - Black Material Culture

with Dr. Tiffany Momon, Assistant Professor, University of the South.

This talk will focus on Dr. Momon's community-based historic preservation projects with Black Craftspeople Digital Archive, a black digital humanities project that centers black craftspeople, their lives, and their contributions to the making and building of America. The talk will engage with how black craftspeople are identified and researched in the historical record and how institutions are adjusting their curatorial practices to better collect, preserve, and engages with this history. Dr. Momon is the founder and co-director of the Black Craftspeople Digital Archive and has worked with organizations such as the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, Winterthur Museum and Gardens, and the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum.

Sponsored by the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission.

November 14, 5 to 6pm - Critical Race Theory in Kentucky: What is it and why is it the "Bogeyman" in the classroom?

Panel discussion with moderator Dr. Andrew Rosa, Associate Professor, History, WKU; Dr. Jeffrey Budziak, Assistant Dean, Political Science; Dr. Sophia Arjana, Associate Professor, History and Dr. Amy Cappiccie, Professor, Social Work. Panelists will introduce and discuss Critical Race Theory and why the flurry of bills, resolutions, and other legislative actions have sparked debates over the role of teaching race in America. Panelists will reflect on whether the "problem" of Critical Race Theory truly exists in the classroom and the origins of these political movements to control school curriculum.

Sponsored by the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission.

February 6, 2025, 5 to 6:30pm - Shake Rag Neighborhood

The Shake Rag neighborhood is a vital part of Bowling Green’s past and present. The downtown community grew steadily after the Civil War as a segregated part of the city for many African Americans.  Join us for a panel discussion about this vibrant National Register of Historic Places neighborhood and the community’s culture. Learn more about those who built Shake Rag, along with present day community leaders.

Sponsored by the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission.

March 8, 2025, 1 to 2pm - Nancy Green: The Real Aunt Jemima

Nancy Green became one of the first prosperous African American women in the U.S. Green was born enslaved in Montgomery County, Kentucky, in 1834. While in Kentucky she worked for the Walker family and moved with them to Chicago just after the Great Fire, in 1872. Eight years later, Nancy Green became "Aunt Jemima." Businessman R.T. Davis had purchased a pre-mixed, self-rising recipe for pancakes and wanted an "Aunt Jemima," a character from minstrel shows which were popular at the time, to be the face of his pancakes. "Aunt Jemima" would be a friendly, animated, African American cook who served a wealthy white family. Playing the role of "Aunt Jemima" gave Green financial independence few African Americans and few women experienced at the time. She used her wealth as a means to empower her community. She was particularly active in her church, leading missionary trips, investing in anti-poverty programs for African Americans, and advocating for equal rights. Though her work depended on a derogatory racial stereotype, her financial success demonstrates how black Americans could sometimes play on and use such images to their advantage.

Join us for this amazing Kentucky Chautauqua program by Debra Faulk.

This program was funded in part by Kentucky Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities.