Negro Mountain Marker Unveiling, 2023

Negro Mountain Marker Unveiling - On October 12, 2023 a ceremony was held to unveil the “First African American Black History Marker in Garrett County, Maryland” – this being the history behind the name Negro Mountain. The event was held at a site along the National Road/Alt. US 40 and held under the auspices of the Edna B. McKenzie branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). This organization is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has maintained this pull-over and picnic area for many years and nominated this historic site on the National Road for a marker.  

Speakers included Mr. Ronald B. Saunders, President of the Pittsburgh branch of the ASALH who gave a comprehensive history behind the naming of the mountain as well as the history, meaning and usage of the word, “Negro.” Other speakers included the Administrator of the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration, Mr. Will Pines and Dr. Artie Lee Travis, Vice-President of Student Affairs at Frostburg State University who served as the emcee.  

Numerous letters of support for this project were noted, including from Frostburg State University, the Garrett County Administrator, the Garrett County Historical Society and regional chapters and branches of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and ASALH. This state-wide historical marker program was formally established in 1933. It is managed by the Maryland Department of Transportation in partnership with the Maryland Historical Trust.