250 Years of Lexington

About

Celebrate Lexington, Kentucky’s 250^th anniversary all year long. Join us for programs, galleries, podcasts, and more highlighting our city’s history, heritage, and legacy.

Official 250Lex Site

Featured Walking Tours

Lexington’s African American Heritage

Explore the African American history and heritage of Lexington by visiting historic sites like First African Baptist Church, the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Center, and African Cemetery #2.

Notorious Lexington

Learn about the notoriety of Lexington’s past by visiting historic sites like the Lexington Public Library, the Kentucky Theatre, the Mary Todd Lincoln House, and others.

Downtown Lexington’s Historic Sites

Delve into the history of Lexington with stops at the Lexington Public Library, 21C Museum Hotel, Kentucky Theatre, First Presbyterian Church, and more.

Lexington’s LGBTQ History

Visit the locations of Downtown Lexington’s historic LGBTQ+ sites, including the Bar Complex, Courthouse Plaza, the AVOL Office, Drake Hotel and Tap Room, and others.

Visit Lexington Public Library Walking Tours for a full catalog of guided walking tours focused on Downtown Lexington.

Featured Podcasts

Tune into our Tales from the Kentucky Room podcast as LPL librarians explore the past, present, and future of Lexington through the Kentucky Room archives.

Featured Digital Archives

Brown-Hocker Community Collection

A collection of photos and realia from African American events and people in Lexington and Kentucky history

St. Paul Catholic Church Ledger Collection

Baptismal, marriage, and other ledgers from Lexington’s St. Paul Catholic Church that date back to 1854

Lexington History Museum “Our Fair City: The 1999 Lexington Fairness Ordinance” Exhibit

An exhibit observing the 20th anniversary of the 1999 Lexington Fairness Ordinance

Fayette County Schools & Yearbooks

Yearbooks, class pictures, and graduation leaflets from Fayette County Schools

Around the Town in Lexington, KY

March, September, and October 1965 pamphlets of the Around the Town in Lexington, Kentucky magazine

Illustrated Lexington, KY

Photographs, demographics, commerce, and financial information about Lexington up to 1919

The Town Branch

A speech delivered by Maude Ward Lafferty in February 1917 for the Woman’s Club of Central Kentucky, detailing a brief history of Lexington

Black Community News

Searchable newspaper articles and ads for local Black community events, schools, social gatherings, church events, obituaries, and wedding announcements