BY EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BURLINGTON -- Boone County is one of only five counties in Kentucky without a historical society -- but that could change soon.
Organizers will meet next week to talk about reviving the county historical society, which has been defunct about 30 years. The Oct. 29 meeting will be 7-8 p.m. on the third floor in the courtroom of the old county administration building.
Former Boone County Judge-executive Bruce Ferguson, chairman of the county's bicentennial book committee, will chair the meeting. "It's to test the water to make sure there is public support," Mr. Ferguson said.
Ron Bryant, curator of rare books for the Kentucky Historical Society, said he was surprised to learn that Boone County doesn't have a historical society.
"I think Boone County would be very ripe for such an organization because of its very interesting and very complex history," he said. "It is one of the centerpieces of the westward migration of the Kentucky counties."
Earlier this month, experts confirmed that Margaret Garner, the runaway slave who killed her child in Cincinnati 143 years ago rather than see her returned to slavery in Kentucky, worked on the Gaines farm on Richwood Road in Boone County. The current movie Beloved borrows from this incident.
Mr. Ferguson said he would like to see the historical society help educate people about slavery in Boone.
"It's a very timely thing for us to pursue, especially with Toni Morrison's book and the movie. Slavery really has been a very neglected part of Boone County's history. But it's time now to revisit it, especially with the National Underground Railroad (Freedom Center) coming in," he said.
Boone County Historic Preservation Officer Susan Cabot said she supports establishing a society.
"It would be good for this county. I hope that it will be an organized group that will actively support the historic preservation program in Boone County," she said.
Organizers have start-up money for a historical group from the sale of more than 100 squares for a bicentennial quilt. Mr. Ferguson said he hopes the group will have its first meeting in January to elect officers and present a short historical program.
"The key will be that it will be a consumer-friendly type of organization. It will run itself and select its programs, and the board of directors will have staggered terms so that there will be continuity. Above all, the programs will be entertaining and sociable," he said.
