LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) – Hundreds of people have taken to the streets of downtown Lexington over the weekend to learn more about the history of the Cheapside area.
It’s all part new project designed to re-imagine Cheapside and make the city- more inclusive.
In the fall of last year, two confederate monuments were moved from Cheapside Park, a former slave auction block. Now some area organizations are taking the movement a step further.
"We have a history that is both painful and complex that we need to honor and tell the truth about,” said organizer Reva Russell-English.
"Part of the point of having a walk is that you get together on the ground level, on the street level, shoulder to shoulder,” said Lisa Adkins, President and CEO of Blue Grass Community Foundation.
The Blue Grass Community Foundation partnered with the city, the Hensley Agency, and Take Back Cheapside organizers to host four storytelling walks through the downtown area.
The first two shared the usually untold stories related to Cheapside, while also celebrating contributions made by African Americans.
The last two walks are about stepping into other parts of the city.
"We started with a focus on African American walks and now we’re expanding out to include all of the many voices here in Lexington,” said Author Jay Pitter.
"So many different stories exist within our city and we’re trying to hear some that give us a different perspective of who our neighbors are,” said Russell-English.
