On an unusually warm February afternoon, community members gathered in Columbus to honor two pillars of the city’s Black history: Henry Edwin Baker Jr., a pioneering historian, and Union Academy, a school that provided opportunity following the Civil War.
Two Mississippi Historic Markers were dedicated Friday, commemorating Baker and the original site of Union Academy.
Mayor Stephen Jones opened the ceremony, stating, “We are standing on the shoulders of giants who made this city what it is today,” and adding, “A city that forgets its past has no way to find its future.”
Preserving ‘Black innovation’
Born enslaved in Columbus in 1857, Henry Edwin Baker Jr. Achieved national prominence through scholarship and perseverance. He was the third African American admitted to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1874, but left after enduring severe harassment and isolation.
Baker later graduated from Howard University School of Law and became the highest-ranking Black employee at the U.S. Patent office. Recognizing that the contributions of African American inventors were being overlooked, he launched a nationwide effort to document their achievements, sending thousands of letters to patent attorneys.
His research identified more than 1,200 Black inventors and resulted in publications including “The Negro Inventor” and “The Colored Inventor: A Record of Fifty Years.”
The marker proposal originated from a project led by Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science student researcher Eli Bankston. History teacher Chuck Yarborough explained the effort reflects a goal of telling “the most complete understanding of our entire community.”
During the ceremony, MSMS Senior Althea Wells portrayed Baker’s wife, Violette Clark Baker, describing the discrimination her husband faced and his unwavering determination. Wells, in character, stated, “My Henry stood for what was right. He provided a spotlight for those who could not stand for themselves.”
A school built on ‘hope’
The ceremony then moved to Ninth Avenue South, where a second marker commemorates the original site of Union Academy – the first public school for African Americans in Columbus, founded in 1865 to educate newly freed people. Yarborough described the school as “an institution of hope.”
Union Academy faced threats, violence, and arson during Reconstruction but endured through community support. For decades, the school produced educators, business leaders, pastors, and elected officials who shaped Columbus and northeast Mississippi.
Local historian Rufus Ward previously wrote about the necessitate for a marker at the Union Academy site, calling it one of the most significant locations in the city’s history. Friday’s dedication fulfilled that long-standing call.
MSMS senior Vincent Young portrayed William Isaac Mitchell, Union Academy’s longtime principal, who was born into slavery. Young, in character, said, “Education wasn’t even a concept for most Black children during slavery. But that changed right here on this very spot.”
Mitchell guided Union Academy through decades of segregation and unequal funding although expanding opportunities for Black students. Young concluded, “At one time I wondered what my legacy was. After 107 years to reflect, I’m now seeing that my legacy was you all.”
‘History come alive’
Speakers throughout the ceremony emphasized the shared theme of education as liberation and the importance of preserving memory. District 41 Rep. Kabir Karriem said Baker’s work and Union Academy’s mission represent parallel struggles for recognition and equality.
Karriem stated Baker “preserved solid names,” while Union Academy “declared our children would be educated, prepared and empowered.”
The markers were sponsored by the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau as part of an expanding African American Cultural Trail aimed at strengthening historical tourism and community understanding.
Mayor Jones reflected on the impact of students embodying historical figures, saying, “Today we saw history come alive. My hope is that when people walk past these markers years from now, they stop and read and know that Columbus is a place where history lives.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Henry Edwin Baker Jr. Do after leaving the U.S. Naval Academy?
He graduated from Howard University School of Law and built a career in the U.S. Patent office, eventually becoming its highest-ranking Black employee.
When was Union Academy founded?
Union Academy, the first public school for African Americans in Columbus, was founded in 1865.
What was the purpose of Henry Edwin Baker Jr.’s research?
He launched a nationwide effort to document the achievements of African American inventors, recognizing that their contributions were being erased from historical records.
How might the dedication of these markers impact the Columbus community going forward?
