African-American Heritage Center preserves and shares Black history in Franklin

FRANKLIN, Ky – Black history is not always easy to talk about, but in Franklin, community leaders say it is a vital part of understanding the city’s past and shaping its future.

Simpson County, like much of the South, has a history rooted in slavery, segregation and racial violence. Even after emancipation, threats and violence against Black residents continued.

One example often cited by local historians is the 1897 case involving a formerly enslaved man from Simpson County, George Dinning, who defended his home against a white mob. Stories like his were shared quietly for generations…or not at all.

Today, the African-American Heritage Center in Franklin works to preserve and elevate those stories.

The center celebrates and documents the achievements of African Americans in Simpson County through exhibits, guided tours and research opportunities. Across its three locations, the organization also offers a community space that includes a computer lab, library and meeting rooms.

“We have a lot of information on well-known people in the community,” said Alice Bailey, president of the board for the center. “Not only well-known people, but other people who have made contributions to our community.”

Bailey said education is one of the organization’s primary missions, especially for younger generations who may not learn this local history in school.

“Some people don’t realize how important it is for future generations to know how things worked back in the day,” Bailey said. “Here, we have a lot of artifacts and memorabilia that they can learn from. Even the hard parts help shape a community’s future.”

Bailey says the Center’s goal is simple: ensure the stories of the past are remembered and not repeated.