KAS Calls for Photos of Davis Bottom

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 20, 2011) — Do you have any historic photographs or images of Davis Bottom in your family or business archive?  Are you a former resident of Davis Bottom? If so, scholars with the “Davis Bottom History Preservation Project,” organized by the Kentucky Archaeological Survey (KAS) and the University of Kentucky, would like to hear from you.

KAS is asking Lexington residents to contribute any historical photographs, documents or their own recollections about the community of Davis Bottom, south of downtown Lexington.

These images and materials would become part of the “Davis Bottom History Preservation Project,” which is currently documenting the neighborhood’s history during construction of the Newtown Pike Extension.

The Davis Bottom History Preservation Project is most interested in images (portraits, sketches, photographs) or documents from the 1860s to the 1940s.

Established in the 1860s, Davis Bottom first served as an urban enclave for white and African American immigrants after the Civil War. During the early 1900s, the community continued as a “portal” for families from eastern Kentucky. Today, Davis Bottom remains a strong, integrated community as it makes another transition with the Southend Park Redevelopment Project.

There are two ways to contribute your family or business photographs and documents.

1)     Contact Kim McBride with KAS at (859) 257-1944 or kim.mcbride@uky.edu during business hours for an appointment to have your original photographs scanned (up to 10 images).  Once scanned, the KAS will provide participants with free digital copies on a CD in either the TIFF or JPG format.

2)     Attend the Lexington Community Land Trust’s “Davis Bottom Block Party” from 12-4 p.m. on Saturday, July 30 outside the Nathaniel United Methodist Mission on 616 DeRoode Street. A professional production team will be on hand to make free digital scans and oral history interviews.

"The Davis Bottom History Preservation Project” features three integrated components: a one-hour public television documentary (KET/schools); a companion website with resources and educational materials; and, a digital media archive that preserves original documents, images, oral histories and ethnographic research for local residents and community leaders, as well as scholars, viewers, teachers and students throughout Kentucky.

The Kentucky Archaeological Survey will archive donated materials as part of the “Davis Bottom History Preservation Project” and for future scholars and educators (non-commercial use). Donors will retain full ownership (copyright) of their materials beyond this educational media project.