Portsmouth, NH – The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire (BHTNH) invites the public to attend the unveiling of historic markers in Milford and Nashua during the month of May. These markers are part of a statewide program, “Mapping Untold Stories,” that brings to light the rich history and contributions of Black people in New Hampshire.
The Milford marker honors Harriet Wilson, the first African American to publish a novel in English. The marker will be unveiled during a public event at Milford Town Hall with a play about Wilson written by JerriAnne Boggis and Produced by Najee Brown of Theatre for the People, speakers, and refreshments. The event, on May 20 begins at 10:30 AM.
The Nashua marker at Holman Stadium honors Black baseball legends Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe, who played there in the 1940s. The event will be held at 5:30 PM before the Silver Knights game on May 30 and feature speakers,
a VIP box, an exhibit of baseball memorabilia, and refreshments. Details about tickets will be released soon.
“We are thrilled to launch the ‘Mapping Untold Stories’ program and to unveil these two markers in May,” said Jerri Anne Boggis, executive director of BHTNH. “Our goal is to shed light on the important and often unrecognized contributions of Black people in New Hampshire and to honor their legacies. We look forward to bringing these stories to light and to celebrate the individuals they represent.”
The Trail now has six markers in towns across the state in addition to the twenty-three markers in Portsmouth. They plan to unveil four more markers in 2023 as part of their Mapping Untold Stories initiative. Markers were unveiled in Kittery Point, Maine, Windham, Hancock, and Andover.
Harriet E. Wilson was born a free person of color in 1825 but family circumstances led to her becoming an indentured servant from age 7 until age 18. Wilson published her novel in 1859 but it did not become widely known until its rediscovery in 1982 by Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Members of the Harriet Wilson Project in Milford erected a statue by artist Fern Cunningham commemorating Wilson in 2006.
Hall of Fame catcher Roy Campanella, and Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Don Newcombe were signed to play with the Nashua Dodgers in 1946 when Jackie Robinson was playing with the Dodgers AAA team in Montreal.
Last summer a record-breaking crowd attended a Greater Nashua NAACP Night at Holman Stadium in their honor. The event was sponsored by the Nashua Silver Nights, Vermont Lake Monsters, and the Nashua Charitable Foundation. Nashua’s Mayor Jim Donchess announced the marker in 2023; the city has been collecting relevant memorabilia for the exhibit.
