Bardstown-Nelson County African American Heritage Museum

Bardstown, Kentucky is home to the first two-story brick church built west of the Appalachian Mountains—Union Church. Restored in 2016, this historic 1812-built church is now home to the African American Heritage Museum.

From 1812 until the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, Union Church witnessed a succession of congregations, including the White Presbyterians, White Methodists, and White Baptists. Following the Civil War, it became a shared place of worship for Baptist and Methodist emancipated enslaved humans. Eventually, by the end of the century, the church was solely utilized by the free Black Baptists.

After the members of First Baptist Church relocated to their new sanctuary in 2002, the old Union Church stood vacant until 2016, when it underwent a comprehensive renovation, restoring it from top to bottom. The following year, Bardstown’s first African American Mayor, Bill Sheckles, envisioned transforming the ground floor of the historic church into the Nelson County African American Heritage Museum. This initiative aimed to establish a central hub to preserve valuable information and artifacts that highlight the significant contributions of African Americans in shaping the growth of Bardstown and Nelson County.

Presently, the museum proudly showcases an array of exhibits, including those dedicated to Black educators, Black service personnel, past and present Black businesses, Black athletes, Black elected officials, and an intriguing display called “Did You Know?” that commemorates the pioneering achievements of people of color in Bardstown and Nelson County’s history. Additionally, visitors can explore display cases housing precious artifacts such as Civil War veterans’ discharge papers, a Slave Auction Block Plate, records of a historic Russian visit to Bardstown, and insights into historically Black neighborhoods and their notable residences. Notably, there are even artifacts discovered in a hidden room beneath the church’s floor, potentially suggesting its use as a stop on the Underground Railroad, though this claim remains unverified.

GPS Location: 37°48’44.4″N 85°27’47.4″W