HARTFORD’S BLACK HEROES TRAIL
A NEW AND INSPIRING INSTALLATION THROUGHOUT HARTFORD’S MAIN STREET!
Councilwoman Tiana Hercules sharing a heartwarming message about the project. Photo by Bizzie Ruth
On February 2nd, Hartford City Councilwoman Tiana Hercules held a press conference to announce a brand new and truly inspiring installation that lines the bustling Main Street in Hartford, CT. This project is called Black Heroes in Hartford was conceived by Councilwoman Hercule’s staff and Jasmin Agosto of the Hartford History Center. Together with the help of UConn student, Ryan Brooks, this team researched some of Hartford’s most historical Black figures. From there, they created plaques for each recipient and installed them alongside some of the equally historic locations up and down Main Street.
From the Hartford Public Library downtown to the Phillips Health Center, every site is decorated with a plaque with the amazing stories and beautiful faces of the many Black women and men who shaped Hartford’s history. This first one, located outside of the Hartford Public Library at 500 Main Street, is the plaque of Gertrude Blanks. A master storyteller and actress who worked at the library for over 20 years, she conducted fascinating story times for patrons and their children. Later in life she pursued acting and performed in several theater productions in downtown Hartford.
She passed away rather recently in 2019. She serves as an example for a large number of poets and storytellers who came after her.
Here’s a list of every stop and brief descriptions of the history that was made by each person.
City Hall, 550 Main Street where you can find the plaque of Carrie Saxon Perry who was the first black woman mayor of Hartford, Connecticut.
Capital Community College, 950 Main Street, is where you can find Thirman L. Milner, a former Mayor of Hartford and the first black elected mayor in all of New England.
At Central Row (750 Main Street) is the plaque of Glenda Lorraine Copes Reed, a business executive who worked for Aetna and later as the head of Corporate Real Estate. She was also the president of the Hartford Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Outside of Dunkin Donuts Stadium (1214 Main Street) you’ll find the sign for the legendary Walter “Doc” Hurley, an athlete, coach and mentor. He worked effortlessly with the students in Hartford not only in schools but on the basketball court as well.
Right at the corner outside of Semilla Cafe (1283 Main Street) is the plaque of Travis Dimeer Terry, founder and fashion designer for his brand IEMBE. He is a well known face amongst Hartford’s new and upcoming generation of entrepreneurs.
At the corner of Main Street and Ely Street, stands Keney Tower where you can find Arthur Lyman “Shrimp” Johnson, an athlete, civil rights activist, radio station president and poet! He was a well known figure in the protests for the integration of theaters in New Haven, Connecticut and the founding president of WKND-AM radio.
At 1443 Main Street, in front of the Community Renewal Team building sits the sign for Ella Brown, Connecticut’s very first black policewoman! She began at Hartford Police Department in 1943 and served for 26 years.
Former Fire Chief and Politician, John Bradley Stewart Jr. will be the next face you can see right in front of Hartford Fire Department Station 2 at 1515 Main Street. He served on Hartford’s CIty Council and was a lifelong member of the NAACP and Prince Hall Masons.
At the Women’s League (1695 Main Street) sits Mary A. Johnson’s plaque. Johnson was a business owner as well as a social services and recreation organizational leader. Her and her husband co-owned the single Black-owned funeral services in the state of Connecticut at the time. She was also the co-founder and president of the Colored Women’s League in 1917.
Outside of the Old North Cemetery is the plaque of the first Black woman to run for state office in the US and the co-founder of Hartford’s chapter of the NAACP, Mary Townsend Seymour.
Directly across the street at SAND/Ropkins Hartford Library branch (1750 Main Street) is the plaque of Dr. Spencer Shaw. Shaw was a storyteller, educator and the first Black Librarian at the Hartford Public Library.
At the corner outside of Mt. Olive Church Ministries is the plaque for Reverend Dr. Richard Battles who served as the pastor at Mount Olive and was a key figure in Hartford’s civil rights movement.
The last plaques and locations include:
Outside of the Phillips Health Center (2532 Main Street) is the plaque for Judge Boce Barlow, Connecticut’s very first Black judge and served in the State Senate in 1966.
A little further down, at the Parker Memorial Center is the plaque of Marcus Camby, one of Hartford’s most notable professional basketball players who played 17 seasons in the NBA.
At the corner of Tower and Main, aka William R. Hales Corner is the plaque for William Roy Hales, a businessman and media publisher who launched for Black perspectives called, The Hartford Inquirer. A publication that lives on to this day, now known as Inquiring News.
Across the street at the West Indian Social Club you’ll find Phyllis Goggins, the World’s fastest Double Dutch Jumper. She formed the well known double dutch team, Black Magic.
Finally, outside of St. Monica’s Episcopal Church at 3575 Main Street is the plaque of Reverend Collin B. Bennett. Bennett was a businessman and Hartford City Councilman who fought for low-income families for eight years.
The Black history that Hartford holds is so powerful yet often overlooked. There is already a rich history here and still history made to this day. There is value here in Hartford, CT and plenty of culture to be proud of as a Black person living here. Don’t allow where you’re from or your current circumstances to prevent you from working and doing amazing things whether they be local, national, or global. I truly hope the Black Heroes in Hartford project stand as a beacon to the power of blackness and the importance of community in Hartford, CT.
