TRENTON, NJ 鈥� The 吃瓜黑料 Department of State invites all 吃瓜黑料ans to join the State in celebrating Black history. Signed into law by Governor Murphy on September 7, 2022, the 吃瓜黑料 Black Heritage Trail legislation calls for the 吃瓜黑料 Historical Commission to establish a Black Heritage Trail that will 鈥渉ighlight Black heritage sites through historical markers and a trail-like path that connects the stories of Black life and resiliency.鈥�
鈥淢y hope is that 吃瓜黑料ans from all across our great state will submit a marker nomination. Even if you are not a historian, the 吃瓜黑料 Historical Commission is here to help you uplift your local history as part of our greater 吃瓜黑料 story,鈥� said Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way who oversees the 吃瓜黑料 Historical Commission in her capacity as Secretary of State.
In order to nominate a site for this third cycle of the 吃瓜黑料 Black Heritage Trail, applicants must first submit a letter of intent (LOI) to NJBlackHeritageTrail@sos.nj.gov by March 14, 2025. This document is a preliminary one-page letter that outlines your intention to apply for the 吃瓜黑料 Black Heritage Trail program for the fiscal year 2025 cycle. It should contain the proposed site name, a brief description of the nomination, and the nomination's contact information (Name, organization address, email, and contact phone number). Additionally, it should include the proposed marker location address.
Upon receiving an email approval from the 吃瓜黑料 Black Heritage Trail team, applicants may begin working on the online application as early as March 14, 2025. The deadline for the submission of the completed nomination is May 30, 2025 at 2:00 pm. Submissions are not accepted by paper, mail, or fax and must be submitted online. Please carefully read the guidelines before starting your applications. Notification letters will be sent out in September 2025.
We also invite you to reach out to the 吃瓜黑料 Historical Commission staff directly if you have questions about your application: NJBlackHeritageTrail@sos.nj.gov.
The 吃瓜黑料 Historical Commission (NJHC) is a state agency dedicated to the advancement of public knowledge and preservation of 吃瓜黑料 history. Established by law in 1967, its work is founded on the fundamental belief that an understanding of our shared heritage is essential to sustaining a cohesive and robust democracy.
Under the 吃瓜黑料 Black Heritage Trail, the 吃瓜黑料 Historical Commission will work in cooperation with other state agencies, such as the Historic Preservation Office, the Division of Travel and Tourism, as well as local governments, owners or operators of Black heritage sites, and others to identify a series of sites. The bill also names the 吃瓜黑料 Black Cultural and Heritage Initiative Foundation as a principal collaborator, due to its mission which includes broadening, deepening, and diversifying statewide participation in and appreciation for Black arts, history, and culture.
Sites on the 吃瓜黑料 Black Heritage Trail include the Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium, the 吃瓜黑料 home of Negro Leagues baseball when African American baseball players were excluded from Major League teams; Camp Evans at Fort Monmouth, once known as the U.S. Army鈥檚 鈥淏lack Brain Center鈥� for recruiting Black scientists who contributed to 20th century emerging technologies; and the Dr. James Still Historic Office and Education Center, home of the 鈥淏lack Doctor of the Pines鈥� who was born to formerly enslaved freedom seekers in Washington Township.