Travel into Kentucky to explore the life of Margaret Garner, the woman whose story inspired Toni Morrison’s Beloved. Sponsored by the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in collaboration with Beloved: Ohio Celebrates Toni Morrison, this guided bus tour offers a place-based exploration of the history, people, and locations that shaped one of Morrison’s most celebrated novels.
Participants will journey through Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati with Dr. Kris Yohe, Professor of English at Northern Kentucky University; Dr. Cheli Reutter, Associate Professor of English at the University of Cincinnati; Christina Hartlieb, Executive Director of the Harriet Beecher Stowe House; Zinnia Stewart, Community Engagement Coordinator at the Harriet Beecher Stowe House; and Jennifer Williams, Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Newport. Together, they will share historical context, archival research, and literary connections that illuminate Margaret Garner’s life and Morrison’s interpretation of her story.
Stops include Richwood Presbyterian Church, where Margaret Garner worshipped before her family’s escape in 1856; the Boone County Public Library’s Archive and History Center, home to records documenting Freedom Seekers and African American history in Northern Kentucky; the Margaret Garner historical marker and mural in Covington; and the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, where participants will conclude the day with guided discussion and reflection on the continuing relevance of Garner’s story and Beloved.
The tour begins and ends at the Harriet Beecher Stowe House (2950 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati) on September 11, 2026, from 12:00–5:00 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring a bagged lunch. Snacks and water will be provided. Reservations are required. Admission is $50 for adults and $45 for Friends of the Harriet Beecher Stowe House members. Please visit the event registration page for complete itinerary details and registration.
