Black Heritage Trail

Overview

The Black Heritage Trail Markers Project is a public education and placemaking initiative that will install 8–10 interpretive markers at key sites across Concord to illuminate Black heritage and history, presence, and contributions of Black individuals and families in the town’s past and present.

These markers are designed as educational tools, not commemorative monuments. Together, they will form a connected trail that supports learning, walking, and discovery while strengthening Concord’s identity as a welcoming and inclusive community.

The project is funded through a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism Destination Capital, with matching funds authorized by the Town of Concord ARPA funds, and follows an established public art and right-of-way (ROW) approval process used for other installations throughout town.

The project is being spearheaded by the Robbins House, Concord DEI Committee, Concord Visitor Center, and Economic Vitality Division.

Purpose and Goalsrobbins house trail

  • Broaden public understanding of Concord’s history by making visible stories that have not been fully reflected in existing historic resources.
  • Build awareness of under-recognized sites and narratives related to Black heritage.
  • Encourage pedestrian movement and exploration, supporting local businesses and cultural destinations
  • Welcome residents and visitors by signaling that Concord’s public spaces reflect a fuller, more inclusive story
  • Support the Select Board goal to “Build a more welcoming community”

Project Description

The project will result in 8–10 carved interpretive signs, mounted on wooden posts.  The design style is anticipated to complement Concord’s cultural landscapes and existing interpretive signage. Approximately 20 potential sites have been identified to date. This initial list will be thoughtfully refined to arrive at a final group of sites based on storytelling, geography, visibility, feasibility, and readiness.

For project details, see the Black Heritage Trail Markers Project Plan.

Funding Application to Mass Office of Travel and Tourism


Outreach and Education

Presentation: A public presentation is updated in an iterative process as the project is developed and refined.   

Concord:

Inspiring Examples:

GROUP/CONSTITUENCYMEETING DATE(S)NOTES
Concord Select BoardDecember 8, 2026 - presentation starts at 1:53:00

April 13, 2026 - presentation		Elected Town leadership that reviews public art and other projects on most Town land and in the public right of way. Among the Board's goals: promote community dialog supporting tolerance and inclusion ('26), create a welcoming, diverse and inclusive community ('25), expand underrepresented voices in Town programs and committees ('25).
Concord Cultural CouncilJanuary 29, 2026 at 4 pmTo provide a forum for the town’s cultural sector to enhance strategic leadership and encourage collaboration within Concord’s arts and culture community. Manages the Concord Center Cultural District as designated by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Concord Cemetery Committee February 4, 2026 at 4 pmOversees Old Hill and South Burying Grounds and Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. The graves of historic Black residents of Concord for John Jack, Elsea Dugan and George Washington Dugan of the MA 54th are marked, while others including those of Jack and John Garrison, Peter and Almira Robbins and Fatima Hutchinson are not yet marked.
Historic Districts CommissionFebruary 4, 2026 at 7 pm
March 18, 2016 at 7 pm
April 15, 2026 at 7 pm		Charged with determination of appropriateness of exterior architectural features of buildings and structures erected within Concord's four historic districts.
Historical CommissionFebruary 12 at 7 pmCharged to "identify and safeguard for posterity the unique physical attributes of the town, as exemplified by the various sites, buildings, and other edifices of historic, literary, architectural, or archaeological significance to Concord."
Economic Vitality CommitteeJanuary 7, 2026Charged with two key areas: focusing on retail sustainability and tourism, and integrating economic vitality goals into a collaborative forum with other key town departments and committees.
DEI CommitteeJanuary 7, 2026To increase cooperation, understanding, and dialog among residents of diverse cultural, religious, socio-economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and to promote inclusion throughout the town.
West Concord Cultural District CommitteeFebruary 3, 2026Charged to manage the West Concord cultural district, supporting artists, and businesses within the cultural district, promoting the arts and viability of historic sites, small businesses, and independent entrepreneurs.
Historical Topics ForumMarch 11, 2026 at 8 amMonthly virtual meeting convened by Melissa Saalfield with presentations on topics related to Concord history.


Advisory Team

Comparable to the Freedom's Silhouette project that brought art benches as part of a temporary sculpture installation in Monument Square, an Advisory Team has been convened to provide guidance to the project. This group does not replace formal regulatory authority or elected decision-making, but instead helps ensure that: 

  • Community engagement is meaningful and inclusive.
  • Historical interpretation is accurate, nuanced, and culturally appropriate.
  • Concerns are anticipated and addressed before they become barriers.
  • The project reflects a broad cross-section of perspectives and expertise.

Meetings of the Advisory Team are posted on the Town website and open to the public. Scheduled Meetings:

NameAffiliationConstituency

Joe Palumbo 

Visitors Center, Robbins House, DEI Commission

Project Lead 

Jen Turner 

Robbins House, Executive Director 

Project Lead 

Dr. Robert Bellinger 

Suffolk University, Professor Emeritus in History; Founder, Righting Histories; Public Historian 

Historian 

Brian Bradbury 

Revolutionary Valley Regional Tourism Council 

Institutional Partner 

Grady Flinn 

CCHS Alum, currently at Yale University 

Student, Resident 

Dr. Maria Madison 

Robbins House founder, Dean at Brandeis University  

Resident 

Rebecca Migdal 

Thoreau Farm, Executive Director 

Institutional Partner 

Rob Munroe 

Concord Academy, Concord 250, Historical Committee 

Historical Committee 

Andrew Nyamekye 

DEIB Director, CPS 

Schools 

Osamagbe Osagie 

Resident 

Resident 

Sandra Harbert Petrulionis, PhD 

Pennsylvania State University, Professor of American Studies, Concord abolitionist history 

Historian

Informal Historical Advisor for Historical Review  

Nikki Turpin 

Robbins House, President, Programming Director 

Institutional Partner 

Dr. Michael Williams 

Elected official (School Committee)  

Schools, Resident 

Sam Williams 

CPO Director 

Community Relations 

Joe Zellner 

CCHS Black History teacher, Robbins House Interpreter 

Schools 

Mimi Graney 
Beth Williams 
Ann Clifford 

Town Staff liaisons - Economic Vitality, Tourism, Historic 

Town of Concord