African American History

Highlighting the attractions and historical markers of Columbia's African American history. For more information, visit the African American Heritage Society of Maury County online. It is a valuable resource and a wealth of information on African American history. The goal of the African American Heritage Society is to document the history of African Americans of Maury County---the many stories of the contributions of African Americans in their effort to build schools, churches, and businesses that were not included in previously published histories.

1946 Columbia Race Riot Historical Marker

In February 1946 a struggle between an African American World War II veteran, James...

A.J. Morton Funeral Home Historical Marker

In 1891, former slave J.M. Morton established the first undertaking business to serve African...

College Hill Historical Marker

College Hill School, originally known as the Colored Public School, was the first public school for...

Columbia Cultural Trail App

The Columbia Cultural Trail is a self-guided walking tour app that takes you through downtown...

Fairview Park Historical Marker

In May 1938, the City of Columbia purchased 7.81 acres of land from Mrs. Ida L. Padgett in the...

Freedmen's Savings Bank & Trust Co. Historical Marker

In 1865, the U.S. Congress chartered the Freedmen's Savings and Trust Company, known as the...

Edmund Kelly Historical Marker

Columbia native, minister and writer, Edmund Kelly, who met with two U.S. Presidents, was born into...

Lillie Mae Glover Tn Music Pathways Marker

Vaudeville blues singer Lillie Mae Glover, often known professionally as Big Memphis Ma Rainey or...

Major General William E. Potts Veterans Memorial Plaza

The names of 88 United States Colored Troops soldiers were added to the Maury County War Memorial...

Maury County Colored Hospital Historical Marker

In 1923, A.J. Armstrong, W.L. Brown, J.H. Kelly, Dr. C.E. Jones, the Rev. W.H. Lampley, J.H....

Mount Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church

In October 1843, free blacks in Columbia established Mount Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church, the...

Rosemount Cemetery

Established in 1873, Rosemount Cemetery serves Columbia's African American community for more than...