Macon200 announces new Downtown Bronze Black History markers

Macon200, the bicentennial campaign celebrating the 200th year since the incorporation of the city of Macon in 1823, will unveil bronze markers dedicated to facets of Macon's Black history. These markers will serve as permanent reminders of Black history across downtown Macon's vibrant streetscape.

There will be a press announcement on Monday, April 22, from 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. in Poplar Street Park (intersection of Second and Poplar Streets). There will be a reflective walking tour led by Andrea Cooke following the announcement, and then a reception at the Tubman African American Museum and Black History tours at 12:00 p.m. The announcement and reception are free and open to the public.

There will be three bronze markers, a material estimated to last 75-100 years, and an additional number of aluminum signs with QR codes inviting visitors to download the Tour Macon app and complete a Black History Trail walking tour. The wording on the signs was written by Muriel McDowell-Jackson, Head of the Genealogical and Historical Room and Middle Georgia Archives at Washington Library. The project is funded by Macon-Bibb County's Bicentennial Committee and is a partnership between Macon200, Wesleyan College's Lane Center for Social and Racial Equity, Washington Memorial Library, and Visit Macon.

Macon200 co-chair and founder of the Macon-Middle Georgia Black Pages Alex Habersham, Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller, and Wesleyan College historian Brandi Simpson Miller will speak at the marker unveiling.

About Macon200
Throughout 2023 we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Macon, the city where soul lives. As we stand on the precipice of Macon's third century we reflect on our past, remain rooted in the present and imagine a future blossoming with potential for all. The Macon-Bibb County Bicentennial Celebration is a year-long opportunity to come together as a community to both honor and acknowledge our history, while celebrating the bounty of talent and potential here, now. The major initiative for the bicentennial will be Bicentennial Park, a park in East Macon that will serve as valuable public space and commemorate the vibrancy of our city. For more information, visit Macon200.com.