Originally reported by The Kentucky Standard. Read the full article here.
Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Partner With Black Citizens Arts Council on Community Project
The Bowman Cherry Center, once home to the first public school for Black children in Nelson County, is being restored for educational use once again.
On Monday, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth announced a partnership with the Nelson County Black Citizens Arts Council to reconstruct the historic site. The restored building will become the Black Citizens Art and Education Center.
“This whole project is a historic view back at the education and creativity of the African American community in Bardstown,” said Jeff Stone, project chair and engineering consultant.
The restoration is a long-time effort of Carrie Stivers, board chair of the Black Citizens Arts Council. Stivers first approached the Sisters about the project. Stone said she has made it her life mission to see the building brought back to life.
Sister Theresa Knabel said the Sisters wanted to do something meaningful for the local community. After talking with members of the Black community, the Bowman Cherry Center was identified as a priority. The Sisters have supported the project since 2022 and are fully funding it, while also applying for grants to help cover costs.
Stone said past restoration efforts had been small and gradual, but the current initiative marks a major step forward. He said he was surprised and grateful when the Sisters committed fully to the project.
“I kept thinking they’d get sticker shock at each meeting,” Stone said. “They never did.”
An inspection revealed the building needed to be demolished due to structural damage, though the foundation was still sound. Earlier this week, crews removed furniture and wood paneling, some of which will be reused. The new facility will include accessibility improvements and updates such as a lift and energy-efficient materials.
The center’s future programming includes K-12 tutoring, GED and adult education, STEM and arts classes for underserved youth, a business resource and networking center, support for small business development, and an oral history archive featuring stories from local African American families.
Completion is expected by February 2026.
“It’s about making sure that this effort is something that’s sustainable,” Stone said.