Noted historian and author John David Smith, the Charles H. Stone Distinguished Professor of American History at the University of North Carolina—Charlotte, will present “Historical Memory and the Meaning of Slavery Today” at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, at Farmington Historic Plantation in Louisville. The presentation is sponsored by the Kentucky Historical Society.

Smith’s lecture will focus on slavery—which Thomas Jefferson termed the “peculiar institution”—and how it still has meaning to Americans today. In his lecture, Smith interprets the ongoing dialogue over slavery as reflecting a new recognition of its prominent role not only in causing the Civil War, but in defining much of American history before and after 1865.

Smith teaches courses on the American South, the Civil War, and African American slavery and emancipation at UNC-Charlotte. He is the author or editor of 19 books and numerous scholarly articles. He has lectured in 11 foreign countries and serves on the editorial boards of several journals, including The Journal of Southern History. He received his doctorate degree from the University of Kentucky in 1977.

Some of Smith’s more recent books include A Union Woman in Civil War Kentucky (2000), When did Southern Segregation Begin? (2002), and Black Soldiers in Blue (2002, 2004). 

“The Kentucky Historical Society is proud to sponsor this well-respected historian at one of Kentucky’s signature historic sites,” said Kent Whitworth, executive director of KHS. “Dr. Smith never fails to offer fresh insight into the sensitive issue of slavery.”

The presentation is open to the public, but seating is limited. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased by contacting Andrea Pridham at Farmington Historic Plantation at 502-452-9920.

Farmington Historic Plantation is located at 3033 Bardstown Road, Louisville, and is open for public tours. Find out more about Farmington Historic Plantation on its Web site: http://www.historichomes.org/farmington/.

An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Historical Society, since 1836, has provided connections to the past, perspective on the present, and inspiration for the future.  KHS operates the Old State Capitol, the Kentucky Military History Museum, and its headquarters, the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History.   Since 1999, the thirty-million-dollar Center has welcomed more than one million visitors.   For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit the Web site at www.history.ky.gov.