This story has been updated.
Black History Month starts tomorrow, Feb. 1, and several local attractions are offering educational tours throughout the coming weeks to connect Louisvillians with the city’s Black history and heritage.
Last year saw the debut of the Unfiltered Truth Collection, a group of live experiences aimed at showcasing the impact that Black Louisvillians have had on the city’s history, from the Black jockeys who won the first Derbies to the activists who have fought for political and social reforms in the last few decades.
Here are four tours on offer:
Roots 101 African American Museum
Named after a mythical bird that flies forward while looking behind itself, “The Sankofa Experience” takes visitors through the ongoing story of the Black Diaspora.Offered Friday, Feb. 4 and 18 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, February 5 and 19 at 3 p.m.; and Sunday, February 27 at 4 p.m.
Call 384-1940 for reservations.
You can also receive a $5 discount to a museum ticket when you show up in person and mention the Unfiltered Truth discount or book your spot over the phone at 384-1940.
Old Forester will also sponsor free admission to the museum on Thursday, Feb. 4.
Kentucky Derby Museum
The “Black Heritage in Racing” walking tour will showcase the roles that Black Americans have played in the history of the Derby and the horseracing industry.Offered Feb. 5, 12 and 26 and March 5, 12 and 26 at 1 p.m.
The tour is free on those dates and includes a general admission ticket to the Derby Museum. Call 637-111 for reservations.
Frazier History Museum
Black Americans have played a sizable role in Kentucky’s bourbon industry from its beginning, and this tour, “Black Americans in Bourbon,” spotlights their contributions to the business.Offered Saturday, Feb. 5, 12, and 26 at 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, February 19 at 2 p.m.; and every Saturday in March at 3:30 p.m.
Tickets are free, but you must book them 24 hours in advance. Call 753-5663 for reservations.
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Check out “The Best Black Baseball Team You’ve Never Heard Of,” which features the history of the Louisville Unions, a Black baseball team that predated the Negro Leagues. The tours are offered every Saturday in February and March at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.Tickets are included with the purchase of a museum ticket. Adults are $18, seniors (60+) are $17, kids (6-12) are $11, and kids 5 and under are free.
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