African-American Heritage Trail to Celebrate New Historic Markers at Unveiling Ceremony

Jan 23rd, 2009

At the final installation of African American Heritage Trail (AAHT) markers, the City and the County of Mobile will unveil plaques for the Slave Market, Michael Donald and Wallace Turnage, completing the AAHT historic marker Trail. The event will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 25, at Space 301 – Center for the Living Arts, 301 Conti St, on the third floor.

Making acceptance comments will be Morris Dees and Dr. David Blight. Dees, cofounder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, filed a suit on behalf of Michael Donald’s family, bankrupting the United Klans of America. Dr. Blight, a renowned Yale University Civil War historian, wrote A Slave No More. The book chronicles the life of Wallace Turnage, a slave in Mobile during the Civil War and his journey to freedom in 1864. The Saenger Theater was built on the home-site of Turnage's owner, Collier Minge at 118 Conti Street. The AAHT marker for Wallace Turnage will be installed at that location.

All three markers will be ceremoniously unveiled at Space 301 at the event, but only the Turnage marker will be physically unveiled because of its close proximity to the event. The Michael Donald marker will be physically installed on Michael Donald Avenue and the Slave Market Marker will be physically installed on Royal Street, between St. Anthony and St. Louis Streets.

A reception and book signing immediately follow the unveiling. Dr. Blight will sign his book, A Slave No More. Ravi Howard will sign his novel, Like Trees Walking, which is based on the Michael Donald story. Howard will receive the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence later this month for his book.

The unveiling ceremony is free and open to the public.