Richard Allen Heckman, circa 1967

Richard Allen Heckman was a historian and professor at Berea College in Kentucky, known for his critical examination of American history and his commitment to telling the stories of often-overlooked individuals. He co-authored "Berea College and the Day Law" with Betty Jean Hall, an influential article published in the Register of the Kentucky Historical Society in 1968. This work examined the 1904 Kentucky law that mandated racial segregation in schools, with a focus on its impact on Berea College, the first interracial college in the South, and the subsequent establishment of the Lincoln Institute to continue educating Black students. (Dash)Heckman's scholarship extended to the early history of Berea College, co-authoring "Berea's First Decade" with Hall, which was published in The Filson Club History Quarterly. His work made a significant contribution to understanding the complexities of race, education, and social change in the Appalachian region. (Berea College Archives) Heckman's dedication to uncovering and sharing these narratives left a lasting impact on the field of Appalachian history and the study of interracial education in the United States.( Written with AI assistance, 2025)