The Josiah Henson Story Initiative
Honoring His Legacy. Sharing Our History. Inspiring Future Generations.
Class of 2026
The Leadership Owensboro Class of 2026 is bringing greater awareness to the remarkable life of Josiah Henson and his important connection to Owensboro.
Who Was Josiah Henson?
Josiah Henson (1789–1883) was born enslaved in Maryland and later lived and worked at the Riley Plantation near present-day Owensboro. After escaping to freedom in Canada, he became an author, minister and abolitionist. His 1849 autobiography helped inspire the central character in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
Though Henson’s story is significant to American history, his connection to Owensboro is not widely known. This initiative seeks to ensure that his story — and our community’s place in it — is recognized and shared for generations to come.
The Initiative
The Josiah Henson Story Initiative is a three-part community project focused on preserving local history and creating opportunities for people of all ages to learn about Henson’s life and legacy.
A Public Tribute
The class is proposing a large-scale mural honoring Josiah Henson on the west façade of the Owensboro Museum of Science & History, helping make his story more visible in the community.
Education & Awareness
The initiative aims to bring Henson’s story into local classrooms through educational resources and opportunities for students to learn about his life and Owensboro connection.
A Story Brought to the Stage
The class also hopes to explore a revival of Josiah!, a local stage production that was performed at RiverPark Center in 1993, in partnership with local theater groups.
A Leadership Owensboro Class Project
Led by the Leadership Owensboro Class of 2026, this initiative brings community partners together around a shared goal: making sure Josiah Henson’s story is not forgotten.
Get Involved
Community support and partnerships will help move this initiative forward. Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in learning more or supporting the project are encouraged to contact Cory Smith, project chair, Josiah Henson Story Initiative.