~ Midway Living History Committee ~

From discussion and comments the following
Committee Purposes have emerged:

• Focus on identifying and gathering together all that has previously been accomplished in the documentation of Midway’s history and disseminating the information in ways that are accessible to the widest audience.
  
  
• Preserve and honor the whole of Midway's history
  
  
• Involve as much of the community as possible in the process, so that the community as a whole feels the responsibility, commitment to and satisfaction from what we achieve together.  This is an opportunity to integrate and build community...among black and white, newcomers and old-timers, and across the generations.
  

Kentucky Historical Society Bestowed
an Award of Merit to the
Midway Living History Committee
for the first annual Midway Living History Day

The Midway Living History Committee of Midway Renaissance nominated in the Education Program for Public category has been awarded an Award of Merit.

from the Nomination -

"The Midway Living History Committee deserves to be honored for producing the first annual Midway Living History Day and for establishing the first Midway Living History Award. Their first event brought significant recognition and attention to the community's diverse history, and sparked a renewed interest in and commitment to preservation of Midway’s whole story. The Committee’s determination to bring history to life and to engage all of Midway’s citizens in the process is an outstanding contribution not only to the people of Midway but to the broader fields of historic preservation and community engagement."

More Excerpts from the Nomination

Midway Living History Day, widely promoted through newspaper advertisements, newsletters and flyers, was held on October 25, 2008 at the Thoroughbred Theatre in conjunction with the 7th annual membership meeting of Midway Renaissance, Inc. More than twenty individuals and organizations set up displays and shared stories with the hundreds of visitors who arrived throughout the afternoon. The displays included Midway’s African American schools and churches, Midway College, the cemeteries, the railroad, the Midway Historic District, Parrish Hill Farm, audio and video history projects, and much more.

At 3:00pm, all conversation paused for the ceremony to honor Coach Allin with the first Midway Living History Award. Resolutions passed by the Cities of Midway and Versailles, the Woodford County Fiscal Court, the Kentucky Senate and House of Representatives were presented with congratulations to Coach Allin. Former basketball players in attendance spoke of their appreciation for their Coach’s confidence and support. One former player, Lonnie Jackson, read a poem written by his daughter, Desiree, to commemorate the lasting impact Coach Allin had on his young players. Many visitors were moved to tears during the ceremony.

The event thoroughly engaged and excited so many residents that the Midway Living History Committee has attracted additional members and friends, many with suggestions for new initiatives to celebrate and honor Midway’s history. Their newest project is attracting much attention – a revision and restaging of the Midway Pageant, produced in 1933 by the Midway Woman’s Club to celebrate Midway’s Centennial.