LCAAHC

Laurel County African American Heritage Center

​

The Laurel County African American Heritage Center works to preserve African American history in Laurel County, Kentucky. Founder and Director Wayne Riley was raised in Laurel County, spent much of his adult life in Washington D.C., and eventually returned to his hometown in 1999.

 

Wayne Riley started LCAAHC in 2004 when the church in which he was raised was condemned and slated for demolition. Riley worked with community members to eventually save the church and turn it into the LCAAHC.

 

The Center has grown in mission and operations since that time. Today, LCAAHC operates the Center, a working and educational farm, a commercial kitchen, and a Farmers’ Market. The Laurel County African American Heritage Center is a non-profit entity devoted to assisting those in London, KY increase their self-reliance and take greater control of social and financial aspects of their lives.

​

The LCAAHC is located in the Old Mill Street Church which was saved from being condemned by the efforts and construction skills of members. The building is currently undergoing renovations.

​

Future plans for the building include adding restrooms, an office, storage space and an outdoor patio.

The main hall will serve as a meeting place and a public archives with history exhibits that tell the history of African-Americans in Laurel County and highlight some of the archive’s treasured photographs and artifacts.

​

The LCAAHC was founded by Director, Wayne Riley in2004 in honor of his late aunt, Lutishia Riley Bailey, in order to preserve African-American heritage and history in Laurel County.

Our trustees and volunteers are currently  working to remodel the historic Mill Street Baptist Church in London. The Center is also accepting monetary or material donations to aid withremodeling.

 

If you would like further information about LCAAHC, please call

Wayne Riley at 606-224-8111