Melungeons: Fact of Fiction? July 29-30; Frankfort, Kentucky
| More than 200 people attended MHA’s “Melungeons: Fact and Fiction” in Frankfort, Kentucky on July 29 and 30, 2005. The event, held at the Holiday inn capital Plaza, included research sessions at the nearby Kentucky History Center and the Kentucky State Archives. |
Terry Mullins' PowerPoint presentation
| MHA’s three-day “Unions” are held every other year, most recently in Kingsport, Tennessee. During the “off” years, events are held in different locations to provide opportunities for people in other parts of the country to attend, and to take advantage of attractions and facilities in those locations. Previous MHA events have been held in Berea, Kentucky, Vardy, Tennessee, and Middlesboro, Kentucky, in addition to the firsts three Unions which were held in Wise, Virginia. |
Following Friday’s research sessions, a “Melungeon Mixer” was held at a private home in Frankfort, providing an opportunity for socializing and sharing information informally. |
Book sales area
| This year's event was free This year's event was free to all who wished to attend. Outgoing MHA president Wayne Winkler stated, "The Board felt that by not charging admission, we would attract those who were mildly curious about the Melungeons. May of those who attended were not familiar with our people, and we felt this provided an opportunity for a larger number of people to learn something of our history and who we are." |
Organizers of the event were pleased not only with the turnout, but by the variety of speakers who had never appeared at an MHA event before. "We were fortunate to have two of Kentucky's most eminent historians, Ron Bryant and Jim Prichard," said newly-elected MHA president S. J. Arthur. "These speakers provided an insight and perspective that was very valuable and beneficial to all who attended." |
 |
 |
 |
 |
