HOPKINSVILLE, KY – The Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County is rolling up their sleeves to scrub the dirt off a bit of history. Join them on Tuesday, July 16 at 6 p.m. in Vine Street Cemetery, also known as Union Benevolent Society Cemetery, for their second Tombstone Tuesday of the summer.
Located on Vine Street just past Wood and Bradshaw streets, this cemetery was established in 1866 by the Union Benevolent Society, an organization of newly-freed African Americans just after the conclusion of the Civil War. The group was one of several Black benevolent societies locally and nationally.
It served the purpose of financially caring for widows and orphans and for providing a burial place for its members. Commonly referred to as Vine Street Cemetery, this site is the final resting place of hundreds of local people including dozens of African American veterans of the Civil War. The cemetery ceased to be used as an active burial ground in the mid-20th century and is now owned and maintained by the City of Hopkinsville.
Folks will receive a brief training on respectful cemetery etiquette and on how to document and clean historic tombstones safely before grabbing a bucket and brush. Learn more about Hopkinsville’s history while making our community a brighter place!
This program is free to attend, and the Museum will provide all supplies – including bug spray. They encourage folks to wear real shoes (not sandals) and pants. Can’t join them this month? They will clean tombstones on Saturday, August 10 at 10am and on Tuesday, September 24 at 6 p.m.
For more information, visit www.MuseumsofHopkinsville.org, contact the Museums at 270-887-4270, or visit us at the Pennyroyal Area Museum. Vine Street Cemetery is located on Vine Street directly across from Dupuy Street. For updates, follow Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County on Facebook.