A Sense of Place - Lexington's Black Hamlets

Our Mission

To remember, preserve, and celebrate the history, heritage, and continued legacy of Fayette County’s rural Black hamlets.

The Story

A hamlet is a small settlement. In Fayette County, rural Black hamlets were communities organized and developed by Black people between the 1800s and 1920s. Between 1826 and 1924, at least 20 rural Black communities developed throughout Fayette County, many with churches, schools, businesses, lodge halls, and cemeteries. These communities were places where generations of Black families built lives, businesses, institutions, and lasting traditions. Today, preserving their history helps ensure their stories remain part of Lexington’s story.

In 2005, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government acquired the historic Cadentown property, continuing efforts that began with the Cadentown Neighborhood Association in the 1990s. 

For years, the history and preservation of these communities have been a topic of discussion within Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. In April 2022, 12th District Councilmember Kathy Plomin brought the topic of hamlets before the Planning and Public Safety Committee for further research and dialogue. A Steering Committee was subsequently formed to help educate Council and the public and identify opportunities to preserve and celebrate this important history.

Preserving the Past. Building for the Future.

Our work is about more than preserving historic buildings—it is about keeping the stories and legacy of these communities alive.

So far, we have:

• Made repairs and improvements to the historic Cadentown Rosenwald School, the only remaining Rosenwald School in Fayette County.

• Helped clean and preserve the Cadentown Cemetery and are working to install a historical cemetery marker.

• Continued community engagement through programs and events, including our annual Juneteenth celebration in Cadentown.

• Collected and preserved artifacts that help tell the story of Fayette County’s rural Black communities.

Our Next Chapter

We are now working to renovate the Old Cadentown Baptist Church and transform it into an educational exhibit space featuring artifacts, stories, and history from Fayette County’s rural Black hamlets.

This space will create an opportunity for residents, students, families, and visitors to learn about the people and communities who helped shape Fayette County.

Help Us Preserve the Story

Together, we can preserve these places, honor the people who built them, and ensure their stories are remembered for generations to come.