Hartford's Black Heroes Trail
“Honoring Hartford’s Black History, for generations to come.”
Project Background
The inaugural Hartford’s Black Heroes trail will honor Hartford heroes who have made History at the local and national level. The inaugural trail will feature 19 installations along Main Street in Hartford, each highlighting a different impactful hero with a brief description of their accomplishments. The project will tie into the Hartford History Center’s “Changemakers” program and is intended to continue to add new honorees yearly.
The idea was originally brought to Councilwoman Tiana Hercules from local advocate Bridgitte Prince, and was developed by her office with significant help from the Hartford History Center at Hartford Public Library, Hartford’s Department of Public Works & Office of Equity & Opportunity, as well as dozens of neighborhood associations. The project also received sponsorship from Councilwoman Shirley Surgeon and Council Majority Leader TJ Clarke.
To learn more about the honorees, or where to find their respective installations, you can follow along on our interactive map below.
Interactive Map
01 / 19
1
Honoring Gertrude Banks; Master Storyteller & Actress (1920-2019)
Located at the Hartford Public Library; Downtown Branch (500 Main St.)
2
Honoring Carrie Saxon Perry - Former Mayor of Hartford (1931-2018)
Located at City Hall (550 Main St.)
3
Glenda Lorraine Copes Reed - Business Executive (1944-2013)
Located at 750 Main St.
4
Thirman L. Milner - Former Mayor of Hartford (Born 1933)
On Display at Capitol Community College
5
Walter "Doc" Hurley - Athlete, School Administrator, Coach, Mentor (1923-2014)
Located at Dunkin Donuts Park (750 Main St.)
6
Honoring Travis Dimeer Terry - Entrepreneur & Fashion Designer (Born 1998)
Located at the Semilla Cafe (1283 Main St.)
7
Honoring Arthur Lyman “Shrimp” Johnson - Athlete, Civil Rights Activist, Radio Station President, Poet (1918-1999)
Located at Keney Tower (Corner of Ely St & Main St.)
8
Honoring Ella Brown - Connecticut's’ first Black policewoman (1918-1984)
Located at the Community Renewal Team (1443 Main St.)
9
Honoring John Bradley Stewart Jr. - Fire Chief, Politician, Community Leader (1930-2015)
Located at the Hartford Fire Department Engine Co. 2/District 2 (1515 Main St.)
10
Honoring Mary A. Johnson - Business Owner, Social Services & Recreation Organizational Leader (1881-1959)
Located at the Women's League Inc Child Development (1695 Main St.)
11
Honoring Mary Townsend Seymour - First Black woman to run for state office in the nation & Co-founder of the Hartford NAACP (1875-1957)
Located at Old North Cemetery (1769 Main St.)
12
Honoring Dr. Spencer Shaw - Storyteller, Educator, First Black Librarian at Hartford Public Library (1917-2010)
Located at Hartford Public Library, SAND/Ropkins Branch (1750 Main St.)
13
Honoring Gwendolyn Clarke Reed - Actress, Playwright, Community Storyteller (1912-1974)
Located at Old North Cemetery (1910 Main St.)
14
Honoring Rev. Dr. Richard Battles - Civil Rights Leader, Advocate, Reverend (1928-1980)
Located at Mt. Olive Church Ministries (20 Battles St.)
15
Honoring Judge Boce Barlow - Connecticut's First Black Judge (1915-2005)
Located at Phillips Health Center (2532 Main St.)
16
Honoring Marcus Camby - Professional Basketball Player (Born 1974)
Located at Parker Memorial Community Center (2621 Main St.)
17
Honoring William Roy Hales - Businessman, Media Publisher (1934-2007)
Located at William R. Hales Corner (3296 Main St.)
18
Honoring Phyllis Goggins - World's fastest Double Dutch Jumper (1968-2015)
Located at the West Indian Social Club (3340 Main St)
19
Honoring Reverend Collin B. Bennett - Businessman, City Councilman, Priest (1931-1998)
Located at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church (3575 Main St.)
Special Thanks To
Hartford’s Department of Public Works, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, The Hartford Courant Hartford History Center & Hartford Public Library, Capital Community College, Northeast NRZ Clay Arsenal NRZ, Upper Albany NRZ, Blue Hills Civic Association, Phillips Health Center - Jerry Buchanan, Community Renewal Team - Ilana Bernstein, St. Monica’s Church, Mount Olive Church, Connecticut Historical Society - Tasha Caswell, The Connecticut State Library - Mel Smith Reggie Hales Laverne Terry, Hartford Public High School Athletic Hall of Fame - Mike Forest, The Shoeleather History Project- Stephen Thornton
#HartfordBlackHeroes