Tourism board receives visit from Sunup Initiative

Mar. 14—CORBIN — The Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission welcomed members of the Sunup Initiative to their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday.

The Sunup Initiative was present to discuss possible signage that would detail the events of the 1919 race riot in Corbin.

In early February, the Corbin Tourism Commission installed interpretive signage in front of two railcars near the train depot in Downtown Corbin.

The signs detail the history of the two train cars and their origins as it relates to their arrival in Corbin.

The 1919 Race Riot began after a white man was stabbed and subsequently blamed the stabbing on two black men, despite admitting to having not gotten a good look at his assailants.

Once word of this spread, white residents of Corbin gathered up approximately 200 black residents and forced them into train cars. The train was then sent to Knoxville, Tennessee.

Members of the initiative asked Corbin Tourism Director Maggy Monhollen various questions about the recently installed signage, including questions about the research done to accurately make the signs; the language used on the signs; and if there was a possibility that the Tourism Commission of the signs being altered, or new signs created, to include information about the forced removal of black residents from Corbin 100 years ago.

At the meeting, Tourism Director Monhollen said this: "The Tourism Commission Board will table this discussion, and should there be any interest moving forward with further discussion, we would reach out to the Sunup Initiative to determine how to go about doing that."

In a later follow-up interview, Monhollen made an additional statement: "The Tourism and Convention Commission Board of Directors is appointed by the mayor pursuant to KRS 91.A and are not elected officials. The mission of the Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission is to promote and develop the city of Corbin as a vacation destination to stimulate the city's economy and to enhance the quality of life of citizens and guests alike. We will continue to keep our focus on this mission as it directly relates to the function that we serve."

Dr. Katherine Engel, member of the Sunup Initiative and Director of the University of Kentucky Appalachian Center, could not be reached for comment by press time.

In other news, the Corbin Tourism Commission also debated the efficacy of using funding on a shade structure that would cover Sanders Park.

The debate was started by Tourism Vice-Chair Sudhir Patel, who asked the board of directors if they felt as though proceeding with the construction of the shade structure was an acceptable use of their resources.

In particular, Patel wanted the board to consider that they also plan on renovating the French Broad River train car, which will also cost a substantial amount.

Last week, the tourism commission opened bids for the project and Director Monhollen recommended the board accept a bid from HWC Enterprises on Tuesday.

The bid from HWC was listed at $246,875.

Ultimately, the board voted unanimously to accept the bid and adopt the project.

Additionally, the tourism commission also voted to re-elect all of their officers.

Jeannie Hensley was re-elected as Chairperson of the Board; Sudhir Patel was re-elected as Vice-Chairperson; and Jackie Willis was re-elected as Treasurer.