State tourism leaders launch Kentucky Black Trailblazers Experience

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky history is being brought to life through QR codes.

State tourism leaders call Kentucky Black Trailblazers a first-of-its-kind experience.

The program tells the stories of influential Black Kentuckians using augmented reality.

Here's how it works:

People scan QR codes at 19 spots across the state.
That launches an augmented reality scene to learn about that person.
Some of the highlighted Kentuckians include Muhammad Ali, and Oliver Lewis, the jockey who won the first Kentucky Derby.
There are codes in Bardstown, Oldham County, Shepherdsville, Shelby County, Elizabethtown, and Louisville.

ShelbyKY Tourism President & CEO Janette Marson developed the project and said, "We are thrilled to introduce the Kentucky Black Trailblazers Experience, an initiative aimed at honoring and preserving the extraordinary contributions and stories of our local heroes. Through the integration of Augmented Reality technology, visitors are offered the unique opportunity to travel back in time and encounter the personal histories of these remarkable individuals who left an indelible mark on our cultural heritage."

All six tourism agencies partnered on the project and received federal ARPA grant funds distributed by the Kentucky Department of Tourism to assist with funding the project.

For more information, click here.