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Remembering and celebrating the History of Fayette County’s Rural Black Hamlets

Welcome to A Sense of Place!  We’re glad you are joining us on a journey to explore the rich history of Lexington’s Black rural hamlets. History is written through the stories and experiences of people over periods of time in unique places. We are telling the story of Black Freetowns – places where rich spiritual traditions, educational opportunities, and enterprise developed and grew overtime. The stories you’ll hear in this campaign come from those closest to the source – residents and their descendants. This history is alive and well today!

Cadentown School
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About Us

Our Mission

To remember and celebrate the history of Fayette County’s rural Black hamlets…

What is a hamlet?

A hamlet is a small human settlement. Within the context of this project, a hamlet is a rural town/community organized and developed by Black people between the 1800s and the 1920s.

Rural Communiites

Between 1826 and 1924, at least 20 rural communities developed throughout Fayette County – each with churches, schools, grocery stores, and lodge halls for community meetings. A few of these communities also had cemeteries. Four of the communities pre-dated Emancipation, while the others were developed thereafter. There were five Rosenwald Schools erected during the 1920s. The Rosenwald School at Cadentown is the only remaining in Fayette County.

EVENTS

Community Meetings
Saturday, August 5 at 4:00 PM
Cadentown Missionary Baptist Church
Join the community at Cadentown for a celebration! Fried fish, chicken wings, and other food will be provided. *This event was rescheduled due to rain on Juneteenth

EVENTS

Community Meetings
Saturday, August 5 at 4:00 PM
Cadentown Missionary Baptist Church
Join the community at Cadentown for a celebration! Fried fish, chicken wings, and other food will be provided. *This event was rescheduled due to rain on Juneteenth

Remembering and celebrating the History of Fayette County’s Rural Black Hamlets

Welcome to A Sense of Place!  We’re glad you are joining us on a journey to explore the rich history of Lexington’s Black rural hamlets. History is written through the stories and experiences of people over periods of time in unique places. We are telling the story of Black Freetowns – places where rich spiritual traditions, educational opportunities, and enterprise developed and grew overtime. The stories you’ll hear in this campaign come from those closest to the source – residents and their descendants. This history is alive and well today!

Welcome to A Sense of Place!  We’re glad you are joining us on a journey to explore the rich history of Lexington’s Black rural hamlets. History is written through the stories and experiences of people over periods of time in unique places. We are telling the story of Black Freetowns – places where rich spiritual traditions, educational opportunities, and enterprise developed and grew overtime. The stories you’ll hear in this campaign come from those closest to the source – residents and their descendants. This history is alive and well today!

HOME      ABOUT US       GIVE       EVENTS       MEDIA       PARTNERS

Cadentown School

HOME      ABOUT US       GIVE       EVENTS       MEDIA       PARTNERS

Remembering and celebrating the History of Fayette County’s Rural Black Hamlets

Welcome to A Sense of Place!  We’re glad you are joining us on a journey to explore the rich history of Lexington’s Black rural hamlets. History is written through the stories and experiences of people over periods of time in unique places. We are telling the story of Black Freetowns – places where rich spiritual traditions, educational opportunities, and enterprise developed and grew overtime. The stories you’ll hear in this campaign come from those closest to the source – residents and their descendants. This history is alive and well today!

Cadentown School
Cadentown-School-12x9
Welcome-Cadentown-12x9
Cadentown-School-2sm
previous arrow
next arrow

Our Mission

To remember and celebrate the history of Fayette County’s rural Black hamlets…
.