Interview with Lillian Butner, January 30, 1987

Interview Summary

Lillian Butner was a child during the 1919 race riot in Corbin, Kentucky. In this interview she discusses the riot, and why her family was unaffected by it. She talks about her grandfather, who owned several businesses and a large amount of property in the area. She talks about race relations in Corbin, London, and Laurel County, Kentucky, including her experiences as a teacher during integration, her family's work for the railroad, and the current acceptance of interracial marriages by the community, as well as the lynchings and other incidents of violence and racism against African Americans in the area.

Interview Keyword

African American business enterprises African Americans in Kentucky African Americans--Crimes against. African Americans--Education. African Americans--Employment. Corbin (Ky.) Integration London (Ky.) Race discrimination. Race riots Teachers--Kentucky

Interview LC Subject

African Americans--Segregation African Americans--Social conditions Butner, Lillian Butner, Lillian--Interviews Race Relations--Kentucky Racism

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.