Lexington Traditional Magnet School Considers Name Change to Honor Local Abolitionists and Arts Education Mission

Lexington is experiencing a significant shift as the Lexington Traditional Magnet School (LTMS) seeks to embrace a new identity reflective of its mission to become a hub of arts education in the community. Principal Bryne Jacobs is leading efforts to involve the entire school community in the selection of a new name that resonates with this mission.

The name change has garnered numerous suggestions, with notable candidates including East End Middle School and Helen Caise Wade Middle School, named after the first woman to desegregate Fayette schools. Another candidate is Zirl Palmer, a prominent community advocate and the first Black appointee to the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees.

Among the most compelling suggestions is the name Lewis and Harriet Hayden. This formerly enslaved couple escaped to freedom in 1844 with assistance from white abolitionists. Their journey, which involved navigating the Underground Railroad, led them to establish a boarding house and clothing store in Canada that became important stops for escaping slaves. Lewis Hayden became an influential figure in the abolitionist movement, advocating for fugitive slaves captured in the North and eventually serving as a representative in the Massachusetts State legislature.

The Haydens’ story is further recognized by a forthcoming monument dedicated to the Underground Railroad, to be installed at the corner of North Limestone and Fourth Street—directly adjacent to the future LTMS. Yvonne Giles, a local historian and a member of the Lexington Freedom Train committee, supports naming the school after the Haydens, asserting that their example illustrates the impactful choices made by African Americans, particularly those who were enslaved.

In January, the Lexington Freedom Train committee plans to launch educational programs detailing the Haydens’ contributions and the monument’s significance. Sculptor Basil Watson has been selected to design the monument, which aims to honor the legacy of individuals like the Haydens and their vital role in the quest for justice and education.

As LTMS prepares for a new chapter, the community’s engagement reflects a broader recognition of local history and an appreciation for those who fought for freedom and equality. The proposed name change will continue the legacy of previous institutions in the area that have celebrated abolitionist figures, reinforcing the importance of remembrance and education in shaping the future.