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Follow A Trail Of… African American History

By Carol Reed

As we celebrate Black History Month each February, many of us may not know that it originated with a man named Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Dr. Woodson was born in Virginia in 1875, and worked his way through high school and college. He then studied in Asia, and at the Sorbonne in France. Later, he attended Harvard and graduated in 1912 with a Ph.D. Dr. Woodson organized the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASALH) in order to share African Americans’ rich and significant history with others. He started “Black History Week” in February of 1926. Later, the entire month became dedicated to programs and activities that honor the history and achievements of Black Americans.

Many of us may not know, as well, of the plentiful African American history to be found in our own local area. To follow the trail, begin in Burlington County, New Jersey. By 1790, it held the largest free Black population of any county in New Jersey. Some of New Jersey’s earliest records of Black life and enterprise can be found in Burlington County. For example, Jacob’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Mount Laurel, originally the Colemantown Meeting House, dates to 1813 and is one of the oldest black congregations.

The influence of the Delaware Valley’s Quakers, America’s first organized group to speak out against the evils of slavery, encouraged Black settlement in Burlington County. The Wheatley’s Pharmacy (still in operation) at 301 High Street in Burlington City was opened in 1841, and served as a stop on the Underground Railroad; a haven for slaves escaping from the South. The Quakers often supported safe houses such as this. The John Woolman Memorial House in Mount Holly is dedicated to a Quaker leader who was one of America’s early abolitionists. And the George Haines House in Medford is the home of a Quaker doctor who also provided an Underground Railroad stop.

Also in Medford is the home site of James Still, called “the Black Doctor of the Pines.” He was one of the state’s earliest medical doctors. Dr. Still was born in 1812 in Indian Mills, NJ. His parents were runaway slaves and his early life consisted of heavy farm work with only three months of schooling. By constant reading, he learned the healing powers of herbs and other plants. Early New Jersey settlers came from miles around to be treated by Dr. Still.

Many African American war heroes hail from Burlington County, as well. The Trinity AME Church in Cinnaminson holds a cemetery with the graves of Black soldiers who fought in the Civil War. So does the Bethlehem AME Church in Burlington City. Other Black patriots include Oliver Cromwell, whose house is located in Burlington. He fought in the Revolutionary War and crossed the Delaware with George Washington in 1776.
More information, and driving directions to Burlington County historic sites can be found on the web at
www.bcls.lib.nj.us/county/culturalheritage/africanamerican/

Another entire world of history can be found at the African American Museum of Philadelphia www.aampmuseum.org. Photographs, folk art, furniture, books and clothing relate 400 years of African-American experience. Also, call 215-574-0380 for current exhibitions.

Baltimore, Maryland is an additional treasure trove of Black historical sites. The Royal Theatre was located at 1329 Pennsylvania Avenue, Baltimore. Originally called the Douglass, it opened in 1922 as the “finest colored theater in America, owned and controlled by colored people.” The theater was sold and its name was changed. Throughout the 1930’s, 1940’s and 1950’s the Royal was a haven for black entertainment, specifically music. Celebrated jazz, blues and R&B stars appeared at the Royal. The theater was demolished in 1971.

The Chesapeake Marine Railway and Dry Dock Company, at Philpot and Wills Streets, Baltimore, was a black-owned enterprise started after the Civil War. A group of black businessmen organized by Isaac Myers formed the shipyard company in 1866. The company operated a successful business until 1883.

Thurgood Marshall’s Birthplace can be found at 1632 Division Street. Born and raised in Baltimore, Marshall lived in this house as a young boy. He graduated from Lincoln University and went on to defend equal education for African American students with the famous “Brown VS the Board of Education” case. He later became the first Black Supreme Court judge.

The African American Heritage Society, 4624 Belvieu Avenue, Baltimore provides tours of African American points of interest in Baltimore City. Call (410) 367-2689 or go to www.sailor.lib.md.us/docs/af_am/bmorecit.html.

Why not begin a February tradition with your family, and explore the rich trail of African American history to be found in our own backyard.
Who’s Who? Can u match?

First Black Supreme Court Judge
A best-selling modern author
Gold medal Olympic track star
Caused bus segregation to be declared illegal
First African American in Baseball’s Hall of Fame
First Black Nobel Prize winner
First African American female pilot
First African American to perform with the NY Metropolitan

Choices:
Maya Angelou
Marian Anderson
Thurgood Marshall
Bessie Coleman
Ralph Bunche
Jackie Joyner Kersee
Rosa Parks
Jackie Robinson

Carol Reed is a middle school teacher and freelance journalist who specializes in travel writing. Carol’s journeys have taken her as close to home as the New Jersey Pines and as far as the islands in the Caribbean, New Zealand and Australia.