Albert Taylor talks about the history of Harrodsburg churches he has collected for many years. (Brenda S. Edwards) |
Albert Taylor is sharing his memories of growing up in Harrodsburg with The Advocate-Messenger during Black History Month.
Several years ago, Taylor began collecting photographs, newspaper clippings and other memorabilia that represent his childhood years in Harrodsburg. He also collected information for the Heritage Festival.
“I've been a packrat for a long time,” he said as he looked through albums filled with memories.
He has information on Harrodsburg churches and schools, Danville history, and about himself while he was in the military.
Born and raised in Harrodsburg, Taylor is 84 years old. He is a son of the late Fred and Jeanetta Taylor. He graduated in 1946 from West Side High School and went to the West Kentucky Professional Training School, a technical school in Paducah, for two years.
Taylor served his country in the Army from 1950 to 1957 as a combat soldier and staff sergeant in the Korean War. He served on the front lines for 14 months and earned three battle medal stars. He is a Kentucky Colonel and has served on the Human Rights Commission.
He and his first wife, Myrtle Faulkner, have two daughters, Francine and Alberta.
Taylor and his current wife, the former Loretta Henrietta Nelson, live in Danville, where he spent 35 years working at Corning Glass Works before he retired. She has three children, Barbara, Lonetta and Marvin Smith.
Together, they have five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Taylor and his sister, Minnie Bell Taylor, spent their early years as members of First Baptist Church, Harrodsburg. He sang in the choir and worked with the youth and in Sunday School.
Currently, he is a member and deacon of First Baptist Church, Stanford.
