By Josely Labarrere

For the Advocate-Messenger

Danville’s Constitution Square—an element of Kentucky statehood so important that to some it may seem sacrosanct—has joined the 21st century with an innovative new program, Engage by Cell, run by local historian and Danville native George Coomer.

Discovered by Coomer and endorsed by the Boyle County Fiscal Court, the idea is meant to help open up layers of rich history surrounding not just Constitution Square but other vital local landmarks in a more interactive way. At any time throughout the park, visitors can scan QR codes affixed to signposts and receive more information about Kentucky’s early history, which includes such events as development of state constitution drafting at Grayson Tavern — a building that still stands today.

“Constitution Square has been part of my life since I was a little kid,” said Coomer, whose family business is situated nearby. It means a lot to me, and it’s always been special. When I discovered the Engage by Cell program, it was just something that sparked in my head as this new way of telling all these things we have here. The fiscal court has approved it and now we are ready to bring this out of the garage where its been collecting dust as far back that I can remember, starting with Constitution Square.”

It is not just a high-tech history lesson but also full of tourism utility. One of the app features that Coomer expects will become a goldmine is the visitor register. That information could help also bolster tourism for Danville and Boyle County as they tell their story in Kentucky history.

However, one key reason Coomer was able to bring his vision for this project to life is because he didn’t do it alone. He credits Carolyn Crabtree, whose extensive knowledge of Boyle County history has been invaluable. Crabtree’s contributions have been essential in shaping the stories told during these excursions. Together, Coomer and Crabtree will continue working to highlight the county’s role in Kentucky’s early history.

Coomer said: “We are starting with Constitution Square in Danville, but the idea is to hit other historical places all around the county. “From the Battlefield to Second Street and African American business district in Danville, we want to share all of these stories that really make this area unique.

”Constitution Square might be a technology initiative but it is also about the careful confabulation of actual places. Also among the recent improvements is matching funds to replace shake roofs on historic cabins in the park, and plans are in place for restoration of Grayson’s Tavern and Fisher’s Row. The county’s new, full-time park manager will help continue preserving the park that is a hidden gem for residents and visitors.

As the program grows, Coomer said he and Crabtree will continue to work together so that Danville’s rich cultural history is experienced in a new way.

“The program will be officially launched to the public through a new round of signage and QR codes, welcoming people in as they discover even more about what our city has done for Kentucky’s statehood.”

“Danville has been a city of firsts from the beginning — Danville had its own post office; it was home to the country’s very first college, and 10 years after Boyle County became a county out of Mercer and Lincoln Counties in 1867, it housed what is believed to be America’s initial surgery performed westward beyond Washington on April Fools Day that year,” Coomer said. It is easy to overlook our hometown but Constitution Square provides a lens through which we see ourselves in state and national history. This is something that really gets me excited to see how this program will open up the lens for so many people in ways they hadn’t realized before.