The Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County is rolling up our sleeves to scrub the dirt off a bit of history. Join us on Tuesday, May 20 at 6pm in Vine Street Cemetery (also known as Union Benevolent Society Cemetery)* for our first 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. We encourage folks to wear real shoes (not sandals) and pants.

Can’t join us this month? We will clean tombstones on Tuesday, June 24 and Tuesday, July 29 at 6pm (weather permitting). Stay tuned for more details and updates.

For more information, follow the Museums of Hopkinsville on Facebook, contact the Museums at 270-887-4270, or visit us at the Pennyroyal Area Museum.