Kith and Kin: Appalachians and the Making of Cincinnati
Migration of families from the Appalachian region over the last century has helped to shape and define important aspects of the greater Cincinnati region, including industry, food, music, literature, human services, social structures and more. Our Kith & Kin project explores the rich and unique history of urban Appalachians in greater Cincinnati by documenting important histories of urban Appalachians—past and present—through a collaboration of images, videos, and words.
About Urban Appalachians and UACC
Cincinnati has long been a haven for Appalachian migrants and their descendants. Since the early 19th century, many from Kentucky and Tennessee have moved to Cincinnati, especially during the Great Migration of the 1940s to 1960s, when millions left Appalachia for industrial cities. Economic pressures and job shortages in Appalachia, coupled with increased demand for labor in northern industrial cities, drove many to relocate. Post-WWII, industries actively recruited Appalachians, while mechanization in mining and agriculture further diminished job prospects in their home regions. Neighborhoods like Over-the-Rhine, Camp Washington, and East End, as well as cities like Norwood and Middletown, became major centers for Appalachian communities.
The Urban Appalachian Community Coalition (UACC) builds on the legacy of the Main Street Bible Center established in 1964, which served the Appalachian community under Ernie Mynatt. Evolving through various organizations, including the Urban Appalachian Council, UACC now advocates for Cincinnati’s Appalachian residents, continuing to be their primary voice.
Kith and Kin: Appalachians and the Making of Cincinnati is made possible, in part, by Ohio Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this display do not necessarily represent those of Ohio Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.