The Greenup Slave Revolt: Kentucky’s Forgotten Uprising

In this first part of our two-part series, Professor Andrew Feight and Marlitta Perkins join the Kentucky History Podcast to tell the dramatic story of the Greenup Slave Revolt. This powerful but often overlooked event highlights the courage of enslaved Kentuckians who risked everything in pursuit of freedom along the Ohio River.

We’ll uncover the revolt’s origins, what drove the enslaved to rise up, and how the dramatic confrontation unfolded in Greenup County. Their story not only sheds light on Kentucky’s place in the history of slavery but also connects to the larger narrative of resistance and survival across America.