William Penn "Bill" Thompson

Located at White Park, 1 White Street, Concord, NH

Legendary African American baseball player and trailblazer, Bill Thompson, was born in Virginia and moved to Concord, NH, before 1891. At a time when racial segregation was spreading throughout professional baseball, Thompson was among the last generation of players to compete on an integrated team before the sport became fully segregated. During the 1890s, an unwritten “gentlemen’s agreement” effectively barred Black players from Major League Baseball.

Despite these barriers, Thompson built an impressive career, playing professionally for the Cuban Colored Giants and the Philadelphia Colored Giants, two of the most prominent Black baseball teams of their era. Locally, he was a founding player of the local amateur Concord Sunset League. He was also a famous showman and often led the opening-day parades to White Park in his famed white suit and top hat.

In 1961, Concord’s Board of Aldermen honored his legacy by naming William Thompson Playground in his memory. Though discrimination denied him the opportunity to compete in the major leagues, Thompson’s extraordinary talent, perseverance, and showmanship left an enduring mark on the game. His contributions to baseball history secured his legacy as a pioneering athlete and one of New Hampshire’s most notable Black sports figures.