Black History Trail release
The American Association of State & Local History has honored the local volunteer group, the Black History Trail of Geary County, Inc.
The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) HAS announced that the Black History Trail of Geary County is the recipient of an Award of Excellence for Phase 1, The Establishment of Six Sites in Junction City, Kansas. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 79th year, is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.
The winning project included the dedication of six sites commemorating local Black history: VFW Post #8773; Ward Chapel A.M.E. (first structure and current building); Second Missionary Baptist Church; Church of God; New Church of the Living God; and Rathert Field. Dedication involved erecting professionally created all-weather signs with basic information and QR codes linking to more information and a celebratory dinner and/or reception to which the whole community was invited.
This year, AASLH confers 47 national awards honoring people, projects, exhibits, and publications. The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history.
The AASLH awards program was initiated in 1945 to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history throughout the United States. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards not only honor
significant achievement in the field of state and local history, but also bring public recognition of the opportunities for small and large organizations, institutions, and programs to make contributions in this arena.
The Black History Trail of Geary County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization that invites all to participate! There is a core group of researchers, presenters, and organizers surrounded by a constellation of supportive organizations and individuals, who participate as time and opportunities allow. It is our goal for this constellation to keep expanding, as all of Geary County is the true owner of the Trail. Black history is everyone’s history! The organization has recently dedicated three more sites and is deep into Phase 2. If you would like to participate, or if you have a local story to tell, or boxes of photos or documents to share, contact President Jim Sands at [email protected]
.