African American History Project
In 2020, as part of the Town of Westfield’s 300th Anniversary, a group of interested community members sought to research the history and tell the story of African Americans in Westfield. This history, which dates back to colonial times, had not been explored, told, or taught. The result of the efforts of this small group of armchair historians was the publication of the book: African Americans in Westfield, New Jersey from 1720 – 2020.
After the tri-centennial, the mantle of further research and dissemination of this untold history became the African American History Project of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Westfield.
We have expanded the telling of the story of African American History in Westfield to include walking and driving tours, presentations, videos, tours tailored to private groups, a second edition of our book, and curriculum support and field trips for the Westfield public school students.
If this is a story that interests you, we are here to tell you about it.
WALK or RIDE.
Our Westfield African American History Tours
-
Our tour highlights many of the places of historical significance to African Americans in the Town of Westfield. You can walk or drive this tour, which is available on “The Clio” app and is based on our book, African Americans in Westfield, New Jersey from 1720 – 2020. To take this tour yourself, either on foot or in your car, please download The Clio app (Apple or Google), select “Tours” and let the location guide find you or search for Westfield, NJ and select the “African American History in Westfield Walking Tour.” You can also see the tour on our page on The Clio website here.
-
Experienced tour guides are available to lead your group on a walking or riding tour upon request. Our most complete tour that covers the whole of the history of African Americans in Westfield is a 90-minute driving tour in which we will use your transportation and we will provide knowledgeable tour guides to bring your group along on the history of African Americans in our town. In our walking tours, we concentrate on the areas within close proximity to downtown. We can also accommodate groups with specific interests such as Slavery in Westfield, the Black Professional Zone, Westfield and the Harlem Renaissance, or Community Activism in African American Westfield.
-
A couple of times a year we conduct bus tours of the African American History of Westfield that are open to the public — we call these our Celebration Tours. Our Juneteenth celebration has been one such opportunity and we will most likely add another Celebration Tour in the winter months. If you are interested in our Celebration Tours, please join our mailing list so that you will be notified when it is time to sign up for a tour.
What the Community is Saying…
“I really enjoyed the tour and listening to your excellent narration! I’ve lived in Westfield for 45 years, and I didn’t know most of the facts I learned today!” - Rosie D.
💬
“I really enjoyed the tour and listening to your excellent narration! I’ve lived in Westfield for 45 years, and I didn’t know most of the facts I learned today!” - Rosie D. 💬
GATHER & LEARN.
Brightwood Park
We will come to you . . .
our African American History of Westfield Presentation
If your group or class would like a deeper understanding of the history of Westfield, we are happy to come to you with our African American History of Westfield presentation.
Even lifelong residents have gained new insight into the town in which we live by learning of its history of slavery, Black professionals, Black churches, civic actions and residential communities.
Should you want to learn about a specific topic we can tailor our presentation for you. Topics include:
Black Westfield in Colonial times
Slavery in Westfield
Black Professional Zone
Brightwood Park — “Before it was a park it was a neighborhood”
Westfield & the Harlem Renaissance
Community Activism in African American Westfield
WATCH.
Documentary Shorts
Black Professional Zone
A documentary short by Westfield’s Isaiah Anderson that explores the area in Westfield that was home to Black businesses and professional offices throughout the twentieth century.
Blue Devil Television Interview
Westfield High School's Blue Devil Television (BDTV) teamed up with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Westfield to explore Black history in our community throughout the month of February 2022. The BDTV production team took viewers on parts of our African American History Tour, with a WHS senior interviewing MLK Association members along the way.
MLK Westfield — Our Self-Guided Tour
Watch this short video to give you an idea about our African American History of Westfield tour.
What the Community is Saying…
“Thank you for opening our eyes to something we didn’t see.” — WHS Humanities Class Student
💬
“Thank you for opening our eyes to something we didn’t see.” — WHS Humanities Class Student 💬
READ.
Companion Site Booklet
Second Edition Published Winter 2024!
Our walking tour is available as a book: African Americans in Westfield, New Jersey from 1720 - 2020: from enslavement to present day. First published in 2020, we have published the 2nd edition this year that includes more history and additional sites of interest. Please browse the first edition copy of the book by clicking “Download”.
What the Community is Saying…
“Now whenever we pass the stops we saw, all we think about is the culture and history there. We also showed our parents.” — WHS Humanities Class Student
💬
“Now whenever we pass the stops we saw, all we think about is the culture and history there. We also showed our parents.” — WHS Humanities Class Student 💬
LISTEN.
Oral History Archive
Thank you to the Westfield Memorial Library!
Discover the unique history of Westfield residents through this municipal treasure.
Hollis Plinton made plans for his funeral home while in his 7th Grade Technical Drawing Class at Roosevelt School.
On access to the Westfield YMCA in his childhood ~
“. . . those days when segregation was a part of it and the people who had made the contribution stated that they wanted it to be segregated and of course where the money comes from they can dictate.” ~ Hollis O. Plinton
READ HOLLIS PLINTON’S INTERVIEW:
