LEXINGTON, Ky. — Voices from those who took part in the historic Freedom March in Frankfort in 1964 can now be relived through a unique installation. 

What You Need To Know

  • Frankfort has an audio installation at the state Capitol highlighting women behind the 1964 Freedom March

  • The website also has a curriculum for educators

  • Multimedia artist Joanna Hay has a production business that has created several fixtures in the city

  • In 2023, she started several other projects to highlight African American history in Frankfort like “Stories from the Balcony”

What started as an opportunity to share stories from the 1940s for multimedia artist Joanna Hay has grown into a second audio installation on the streets of downtown Frankfort.

She and Katima Smith-Willis are sharing stories from the women behind the 1964 Freedom March with Martin Luther King Jr. 

Hay has created monumental art, historic markers and fixtures in the city. Now, a QR code on a plaque at the footsteps of the Capitol takes people to a website to hear from those who planned or experienced the historic march. 

Voices like Louisville social justice advocate Mattie Jones and others can be heard.

“You see this picture of the 10,000 people, and then you can look and imagine that they were right here,” Hay said. 

Hay said the audio installation is where the march took place, and the spot generates a lot of foot traffic, giving those passing by an opportunity to learn more. 

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