Our Common Heritage

Our Common Heritage was founded in 1972 to preserve the dignity and promote the equitable treatment of the Appalachian people of Dayton, and to give them a greater voice in the operation of the city. A tireless promoter of the organization has been Lela Estes. The group has funded an annual scholarship in her name to benefit a Dayton student with an Appalachian background attending Sinclair Community College. Our Common Heritage sponsored the annual Mountain Days celebration until it ceased operation in 2009.