Get on the Bus Historical Tour of Shelbyville, Kentucky

People getting on the bus for the tour. (Photo Credit: Kentucky Housing Corporation)

In commemoration of Fair Housing Month, the city of Shelbyville hosted Kentucky's annual Get on the Bus guided tour to see and hear about the history of the community and the effects of racial segregation throughout the years.

Christopher Taylor, HUD Kentucky Field Office Director, provided the opening remarks for the event that included over 40 participants. Other speakers included Kathy Peters, Executive Director of the Kentucky Housing Corporation, and Mayor Hardesty of Shelbyville.

The bus tour guides were local residents whose families had lived in Shelbyville for generations. Elders described what life was like during segregation while younger narrators spoke of how the city has changed for African Americans since 1968. Stories included descriptions of poor housing conditions such as dirt floors, no indoor plumbing, and life by the railroad tracks. The tour also included a discussion of the current diversity of Shelbyville, which now has a high number of Hispanic residents living and working in the community.

"A good leader takes they people where the want to go," said HUD Kentucky Field Office Director Christopher Taylor. "A great leader takes the people where they ought to be."

The event was organized by the Lexington Fair Housing Council, the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, the HUD Kentucky Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, and the Kentucky Housing Corporation. The local NAACP, Shelby County Historical Society, Centro Latino, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture also supported the event.

Anyone who believes that his/her fair housing rights have been violated can file a complaint by calling 1 (800) 669-9777 (voice), (800) 927-9275 (TTY). Additional information is available at www.hud.gov/fairhousing and through our new fair housing mobile application for iPhone, iPad, and android smart phone users.

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