Macon200 Bronze Black Heritage Trail Markers unveiled in downtown Macon

Two Macon200 Bronze Black Heritage Trail Markers were unveiled Monday, with a third on the way soon.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Two Macon200 Bronze Black Heritage Trail Markers were unveiled Monday, with a third on the way soon.

41NBC was at Poplar Street park in downtown Macon for the unveiling of the Poplar Street Slave Trading Markets Trail Marker.

Macon200 Co-Chair Alex Habersham and Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller participated in the unveiling before speaking, along with Historian Dr. Brandi Simpson-Miller from Wesleyan College, about the importance of remembering Black History.

“Let’s take time to read history, take time to do your research, and take time to remember all those that have come before us, the sacrifices they made and sacrifices we continue to make,” Mayor Lester Miller said.

“Historically, from a perspective of understanding what happened to slaves down through numerous generations, but also presently, because if we acknowledge that, that creates more of an understanding,” Habersham said. “That creates an atmosphere where on both sides this can be acknowledged, and then we can work together to build a harmonious future.”

Simpson-Miller said three areas of need became clear after two years of listening meetings.

“More diversely representative art across Macon, strategies to address the erasure of African American history in our k-12 schools, and historical research, teaching, and interpretation to deepen and empower the public’s connection with and knowledge of the past contribution of Macon’s African American ancestors,” Simpson-Miller said.

After the ceremony, Andrea Cooke from Macon Mental Health Matters led a Meditative Walking Tour to the next marker on Pine Street.

That was followed by a reception at Tubman Museum, featuring more speakers and a bus tour.

According to a Macon200 news release, the project is funded by Macon-Bibb County’s Bicentennial Committee, Wesleyan College’s Lane Center for Social and Racial Equity, Washington Memorial Library and Visit Macon.

The markers where written by Muriel Mcdowell-Jackson, the head of the Genealogical and Historical Room and Middle Georgia archives at Washington Library.

“Hopefully this marker and the other two that will be unveiled, like we said, the one for the courthouse is not here, will give a sense of a broad overview of Macon’s African-American community, from the slave markets all the way up to Cotton Avenue where the former enslaved thrived, built businesses, and passed on knowledge of next generations,” Jackson said.

The markers are estimated to last 500+ years.