Historical Highlights
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BASKET MAKING IN HART COUNTY
The Kentucky Arts Council offers several programs and grant opportunities that benefit Hart County and its basket makers. Funding through their Arts Access Assistance Program made an exhibit and a series of related activities and basket classes possible in 2016. An additional grant has made a new series of basket classes available in 2022. The Hart County Historical Society is grateful to the Kentucky Arts Council for the grant, which made this possible. The Society also appreciates the partnership with the Hart County Public Library, which hosted the classes in its location.
Below are photos taken by Scott Gilbert and Beth Hester, The Basket Maker's Catalog, of past classes held in Hart County.
The Kentucky Arts Council offers several programs and grant opportunities that benefit Hart County and its basket makers. Funding through their Arts Access Assistance Program made an exhibit and a series of related activities and basket classes possible in 2016. An additional grant has made a new series of basket classes available in 2022. The Hart County Historical Society is grateful to the Kentucky Arts Council for the grant, which made this possible. The Society also appreciates the partnership with the Hart County Public Library, which hosted the classes in its location.
Below are photos taken by Scott Gilbert and Beth Hester, The Basket Maker's Catalog, of past classes held in Hart County.
BLACK HISTORY IN HART COUNTY
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Albery Allson Whitman, 1851-1901
Albery Allson Whitman was one of the most prominent African American poets of the late nineteenth century. Born into slavery in Hart County, Kentucky, on May 30, 1851, Whitman overcame tremendous barriers through self-education and literary talent. His poetry explored themes of freedom, faith, race, and the future of African Americans in the years following emancipation. Though less widely remembered today, Whitman was recognized during his lifetime for his powerful narrative poetry and contributions to African American literature. The marker reads: “A noted 19th century African American poet, Whitman was born into slavery in Hart County on May 30, 1851. Self-educated, by age 22 he had published two books of poetry, Essays on the Ten Plagues and Other Miscellaneous Poems and Leelah Misled. He later moved to Zanesville, Ohio, where he wrote a third book, Not a Man and Yet a Man. After attending Wilberforce University, Whitman became a minister in the A.M.E. Church. He is remembered for his narrative poems celebrating the potential of African Americans emerging from slavery. The street north of this marker is named in his honor. Presented by the Munfordville Tourist Commission." Excerpt from "Not a Man, And Yet a Man" by Albery Allson, I love Kentucky; tho’ she merit scorn I can’t despise the land where I was born. Her name I cherish, and expect to see The day when all her sons will cherish me. Her many sins have all in common benn With other sisters’ who their sins have seen. Yes, I will pray for that good time to come When I can say; Kentucky is my home. And this I now ask at my country’s hand, If I must die in some far distant land, Then let my countrymen, when I am dead, Where I was born, make my eternal bed. |
Photo By Unknown author - Front piece to The rape of
Florida by Albery Allson Whitman 1884
Article from The Kansas City Times (Kansas City, Missouri) · 22 Nov 1890, Sat · Page 5
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1951-1969 Carter Dowling School
A brief history from the files at Hart County Historical Society. A concerned group of citizens petitioned for a consolidated school for the black students of Hart County. Kentucky schools were segregated at that time. It was decided to build on the land on Old National Turnpike in Munfordville. Carter Dowling was named for the superintendent of county schools at the time, Daisie Carter, and Charlie Dowling, a board member from Munfordville. The school opened its doors in the fall of 1951 with five teachers, a principal, and a small staff. Carter Dowling consisted of Grades 1-8 and included extracurricular activities such as basketball. First staff members at Carter Dowling were: Luticia Davis as principal and teacher; Verda Mills, Mae Willa Mansfield, Eva Bradley, and Geraldine Owens as teachers. Later, three more teachers, Edna Wood, Elvin Nuckols, and Abner Bradley, and a full-time principal were added. Mr. Metcalfe was the last principal at Carter Dowling School. The plans were drawn for the desegregation of the Hart County, Kentucky, School District by the Hart County Board of Education on April 17, 1965. Carter Dowling lost many students from 1965 until it closed its doors in 1969. It is important to note that Carter Dowling opened and closed by choice. Carter Dowling was one of the first and only schools to allow the students to make choices concerning extracurricular activities and make comments on their teachers, as well as how the school was being run. Individual Highlights: |
1964 Carter Dowling School 7th Grade Basketball Team
Carter Dowling School 4th & 5th grade classes, unknown year
Woodsonville Baptist Church, 1964
Halltown School, 1928
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