Grant to Fund Tours of the African American Heritage Trail of Mobile

Posted on: Feb 22nd, 2016 | News and Announcements

Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood will celebrate Black History Month this February with a grant to the Dora Franklin Finley African American Heritage Trail in Mobile that will fund docent-led tours for school children, senior citizens, and non-profit organizations. The 41 established sites on the Trail give a powerful history of the significant contributions made by African-Americans to our community. ?Each place becomes sacred because the people it represents become a narrative of the life, community and individuals of Mobile,? Commissioner Ludgood said. ?It?s a physical reminder of where we?ve been and where we?re going.? Dr. Joycelyn Finley-Hervey, Vice President of the Trail?s Board of Directors said; ?The Trail is woven into the very tapestry of Mobile?s rich 314 year history and evidences the impact of our diverse cultural heritage from its inception.? The Trail depicts a long and varied history of the people and events it commemorates. It brings to life world-renowned baseball players like Hall of Famer, ?Hammerin? Hank Aaron, and entrepreneurs and professionals, like the community?s first African-American licensed physician and surgeon, Dr. Thomas N. Harris. It also includes a narrative of the slave trade, from John Ragland?s slave market to the nation?s last cargo of Africans that arrived in Mobile illegally aboard the Schooner Clotilde in 1860. The Trail describes the diversity of African-Americans who populated the area, from the early Creoles de Color to modern civil rights leaders. The Trail, set to celebrate its 10-year anniversary on March 10th, was the passion of its name sake, the late Dora Franklin Finley, whose own ancestors were trailblazers in Mobile. The tours are led by docents well-versed in Mobile?s history and are conducted either as driving or walking tours. Further information about tours is available http://www.maaht.org/about.php and on Facebook at Dora Franklin Finley African American Heritage Trail. For guided tours: Contact Eric Finley, Tour Coordinator 251-648-3742 or eric.finley@att.net