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Join us for a walking tour of Downtown Lexington’s African American Heritage Sites. The full tour is available as a single MP3, or you can download individual tracks. For the single MP3, music will play between the stops. You can pause the track while you walk between stops.
This tour covers a walking distance of 1.7 miles.
The music clips used in this tour are from “Walking Barefoot on Grass” by Kai Engel, and are used with a CCBY license. It is available here: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/
The Luna Library, a program of Believing in Forever, collects and distributes children's books with an African American history or Black character focus. It is an alternative for African American parents looking for books that provide context and knowledge to understand the stories of the African American experience in this country for their children. Believing in Forever is a champion of diversity and inclusion, and the positive impact books have on children of all races.
Celebrate Black History Month at LPL
Throughout February, join us as we celebrate Black history with programs, materials, podcasts, and more.
The True American (1845-1847)
All Digital Archives Collections
Together, we’ll enrich our Lexington Public Library for the next 230 years.
Tracing its history back to 1795, the Lexington Public Library is a gateway to knowledge, a bridge to opportunity, and a hub for community connection. The name of the society honors that legacy — when a small group of citizens came together to create something lasting for their community - a library positioned to evolve to meet the ever changing needs of our community.
Members of the 1795 Society are philanthropic leaders and dedicated library champions. Supporters make a three-year pledge of at least $1,000 per year - whether you are an individual donor interested in making an annual or monthly gift, you are making your estate plans, or you are a corporate partner looking to connect your organization to community impact, we invite you to join this legacy of connection, learning, and leadership in support of the public library!
Join the 1795 Society, a community who enable the Library’s critical work and build a legacy of learning, access and opportunity for generations to come.
A special presentation on "Women Spies of the American Revolution," as well as remarks by special guests, live music, and special tours of the Central Library Gallery exhibit, "Revolutionary Threads," with the descendants of the Patriots whose lives are featured in the exhibit. Organized by the Transylvania Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
A special presentation on "Women Spies of the American Revolution" at 2 p.m., as well as remarks by special guests, live music, and special tours of the Central Library Gallery exhibit, "Revolutionary Threads," with the descendants of the Patriots whose lives are featured in the exhibit. Organized by the Transylvania Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Discover free events, books, and resources exploring Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating when the Emancipation Proclamation reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, in 1865.
Please note that all locations will be closed on June 19 in observance.
Erin McGuire-Thompson, author of Cross Country Cryptids: A Road Trip Guide to American Monsters, will join us in the Farish Theater to discuss some folklore and origins behind some well-known (and some obscure) cryptids, which cryptids have been reported in Kentucky, and why people are fascinated by cryptids/folklore in general.
Celebrate Lexington, Kentucky’s 250th anniversary all year long. Join us for programs, galleries, podcasts, and more highlighting our city’s history, heritage, and legacy.
Download eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more – free with your library card.
Wonderful podcasts and walking tours have been created by our staff. Please enjoy!
Discover unique resources in our Digital Archives that tell the story of Fayette County. Visit cemeteries throughout Central Kentucky using our cemetery maps. Contact our resident experts in the Central Library's Kentucky Room with questions. The Lexington Public Library is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library.
Join us in celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month throughout May. Discover reading recommendations, special free events, view the Central Library gallery exhibit, and more!
Search our digital archives by topic.
These tours are guided audio walking tours with a variety of topics focused on Downtown Lexington, KY. Music will play in between each stop, and the listener can pause the track while walking between stops.
Want to learn about new tours as they become available? Subscribe to our Genealogy & Local History newsletter.
Muhlenberg County Black Marriages Book c.1866
All Digital Archives Collections
Stories of Lexington's history told through the Kentucky Room archives.
Keller J. Dunn Photograph Collection
All Digital Archives Collections
Schools and Yearbooks Collection
All Digital Archives Collections
Elmer L. Foote Lantern Slide Collection
All Digital Archives Collections
Kentucky Progress Magazine (1928-1936)