New Jersey Black Heritage Trail Unveils First Historical Marker

First official marker to be unveiled today, June 11, at site central to Cape May’s Black educational legacy; event featured community reflections and virtual museum access.

The New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) inaugurated the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail with the unveiling of its first official historical marker at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the site of the historic Franklin Street School in Cape May. The ceremony marks the beginning of a statewide effort to honor Black history through designated heritage sites and commemorative programming.

Located at 720 Franklin Street, the Franklin Street School is being recognized for its critical role in the Cape May Black community’s pursuit of equal education. The marker honors the school’s legacy as a symbol of determination and resilience in the face of racial segregation. The event also acknowledged the nearby Macedonia Baptist Church and the Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey, both of which have been accepted as sites along the Black Heritage Trail.

The public was invited to attend the unveiling ceremony, which included remarks from former students of the Franklin Street School and reflections on the site’s historical significance.

The New Jersey Black Heritage Trail was established under legislation signed by Governor Phil Murphy on September 7, 2022. The law mandates the creation of a heritage trail to "highlight Black heritage sites through historical markers and a trail-like path that connects the stories of Black life and resiliency."

“The New Jersey Black Heritage Trail is an important addition to our state’s landscape,” said Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees the NJHC as Secretary of State. “The Trail uplifts the histories and resiliency of our African American communities through historical markers, augmented reality experiences, and educational programming.”

To date, 61 sites across the state have been selected for inclusion on the Trail through a combination of public nominations and NJHC staff recommendations. Each selected location is approved by the Commission and reflects various aspects of New Jersey’s African American history. Additional Trail sites include Paterson’s Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium, Red Bank’s T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center, and the Dr. James Still Historic Office and Education Center in Washington Township.

Each marker along the Trail is designed with clear black lettering on a white background with gold trim, mounted on a seven-foot pole. Most markers will also feature a 6x6-inch aluminum plate with a QR code that links to the official Black Heritage Trail website. Select sites, including the Franklin Street School, will offer an enhanced experience with a “Virtual Museum” QR code. This feature allows visitors to access curated historical content, including photographs and documents, directly from their mobile devices.

The Black Heritage Trail is described by organizers as a “living trail,” designed to engage the public in New Jersey’s Black history through both physical markers and digital content. In addition to historic interpretation, the Trail supports programmatic opportunities and public events. A list of upcoming offerings is available at https://linktr.ee/blackhistorynj.

Sara Cureton, executive director of the NJHC, emphasized the broad vision behind the initiative: “The New Jersey Black Heritage Trail team has worked tirelessly to provide an engaging and expansive program. I hope visitors and residents alike will take advantage of this opportunity to explore New Jersey and learn more about the many contributions made by African Americans to our state.”

The project is a multi-agency collaboration involving the NJHC, the Division of Travel and Tourism, the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office, and the New Jersey Black Heritage Foundation. Each partner plays a role in promoting, preserving, and sharing the state’s Black heritage with a wider audience.

The Franklin Street School marker is the first of many expected to be installed in the coming years, as the state continues its commitment to recognizing and preserving African American history across New Jersey.