African American named manager
of Jefferson Davis historic site

Ron Sydnor – a former Marine, student of history and native of Russellville – is likely the first Black-American to manage the Jefferson Davis State Historic Site in Fairview.

Sydnor, who’s among only a handful of African-American park managers in Kentucky’s state parks system, assumed his new post May 17 and said he plans to expand offerings at the park, which honors Davis, Confederate President and Kentucky native.

Included will be new programs that will focus on the Union perspective of the Civil War era, the lives of Union and Confederate soldiers, the women’s role at home, and on the part that both African Americans and Native Americans played during the war.

“I see myself as a bit of a historian and this is history,” Sydnor said.  “None of us can deny that this happened. As long as I look at it from a standpoint of history, it’s not an issue.”

The new manager grew up in Pembroke, attended Pembroke Elementary School and served 20 years in the Marine Corps before retiring in 1992. Eight years later he returned to Pembroke and began working in the state parks system five years ago when he was named assistant manager at Kenlake State Resort Park.

In March 2006, he became assistant manager at Lake Barkley State Resort Park and spent seven months at that post before being named park manager at Fairview. Sydnor has a bachelor’s degree in history with an emphasis on the colonial era through the Civil War. He also worked previously with the Boys and Girls Club in Hopkinsville.

Sydnor noted both the Union and Confederacy had colored troops, or troops of African Americans who fought with them. Both sides also had Native Americans fighting and the women were “making do” with their families while the men were away. He said the dolls played with by young girls of the era also had an integral part in the Civil War as they were used to smuggle medicine.

“Eventually, I want to be able to have at least one program a month,” he said.

He also noted his ultimate goal is to keep the park open throughout the year. Currently it closes Oct. 31 and reopens on May 1 each year with hours of operation 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Sydnor said the park attracts about 25,000 people each year and another 50,000 to 60,000 who use the two rental shelters and enjoy other amenities. The historic site also has open areas that are free for use and a gift shop where visitors may purchase Civil War souvenirs and other items. The museum offers a video presentation that shares the history of the park and museum.

He noted the park is embarking on a new era that will include people from all walks of life. He said the current presentation focuses on Jefferson Davis and the Confederacy, although he hopes to develop additional programs in the future.

“It’s going to be a park where everybody, regardless of background, will be able to come and enjoy (it),” Sydnor commented. “The history here is not just one group of people’s history. It’s all of our histories.”

The Pembroke man observed African Americans tend to stay away from things that have an association with the Confederate States of America, but he said he hopes to utilize the park as an educational tool “because they need to know” the history.