News Summary
In 2025, Lexington will commemorate its 250th anniversary with a year-long series of events showcasing its rich history and local achievements. February will be celebrated as History Month in conjunction with Black History Month, featuring the ‘History Hop’ event and initiatives that honor local historical figures and diverse contributions. The community will engage through programs promoting education and awareness, ensuring that Lexington’s heritage is inclusive and celebrated.
Lexington Celebrates 250 Years of History with Events Honoring Local Achievements and Heritage
Lexington is set to commemorate the 250th anniversary of its founding in 2025, showcasing its rich history and significant local achievements. Throughout the year, Lexington residents and visitors can look forward to a series of engaging events and informative initiatives aimed at celebrating the city’s heritage.
Special Events and Celebrations
As part of this special anniversary, February has been designated as History Month in Lexington, coinciding with Black History Month. This month will highlight the profound significance of historical events and figures in the area. A notable event, the “History Hop,” is scheduled for Presidents’ Day on February 17. This event will offer free tours of renowned historical sites including the Ashland Henry Clay Estate, the Mary Todd Lincoln House, and the Lexington History Museum.
The Lexington History Museum plays a vital role in the 250Lex Commission, which is dedicated to honoring the contributions of local figures and the shared history of the community. Additional programs such as an African American Heritage Tour have been introduced to further educate residents and visitors about Lexington’s diverse history.
Local Historical Figures: Solomon Van Meter
Among the notable figures in Lexington’s history is Solomon Van Meter, an innovative inventor born on April 8, 1888. Van Meter is best known for creating the first manually operated free-fall parachute, a revolutionary invention that significantly improved aviator safety. After his birth in a cabin on Bryan Station Pike, he was raised in Shenandoah Hall with his parents, Solomon Lee Van Meter and Evaline “Evie” Swoope, along with four siblings and two half-siblings.
Van Meter received his education at various institutions, including Miss Collier’s Private School, Transylvania University, the University of Iowa, and Exeter College at Oxford University. By 1910, he had developed his parachute design and filed for a patent in 1911. His patented parachute inventions aimed to save aviators’ lives and received recognition by the U.S. Army.
Military Career and Patent Infringement Lawsuit
During World War I, Van Meter joined the U.S. Army, eventually attaining the rank of first lieutenant. His parachute invention was constructed at Wright Field in 1918. Following successful tests, the U.S. Army permitted the Irving Air Chute Company to produce paratroopers’ equipment for government use. However, he later faced a legal battle concerning the unauthorized utilization of his patent after his military enlistment.
In a significant legal victory, Congress passed a special act enabling Van Meter to sue the Army, which ultimately led to the District Court recognizing an infringement on his patent. Van Meter was eventually awarded $46,137.50, an amount approximating $650,000 in today’s currency. He retired from his military service as a captain and passed away in Lexington on November 3, 1937, at the age of 49. His contributions are preserved with a life-sized bronze portrait monument at the Aviation Museum of Kentucky located at the Blue Grass Airport.
Community Engagement and Educational Initiatives
To enhance community engagement and awareness of local history, various initiatives are underway. Nubia Lateefa, owner of The People’s Porch, has launched a mobile Black library archive focused on rare Black literature, aimed at promoting access to Black history beyond traditional museum formats. This effort reflects the commitment to making historical narratives inclusive and engaging for all community members.
Another recent initiative, the “I Was Here” project, showcased the contributions of African Americans through ancestral spirit portraits installed at the Old Fayette County Court House. Created in collaboration with Operation Be You, Inc., this project aims to empower girls of color and encourage recognition of the positive contributions of Black Americans throughout history.
As Lexington prepares for its 250th anniversary, the city continues to emphasize its rich tapestry of history, fostering a sense of community pride and facilitating educational opportunities for future generations.
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Weather News
- Wikipedia: History of Lexington, Kentucky
- LEX18: Lexington’s Free History Hop
- Google Search: Black History Month events in Lexington Kentucky
- KY Kernel: Black History is America’s History
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Black History Month
- Fox 56 News: Mobile Black Library Archive
- Google News: Lexington Kentucky history
- LEX18: Henry Clay Estate Programs for Black History Month
- VisitLex: African American History
