New Jersey Black Heritage Trail to Unveil Historical Marker at Plainfield's Drake House

PLAINFIELD, NJ — The New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) will unveil a New Jersey Black Heritage Trail historical marker at the Drake House Museum on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 11am. The Drake House Museum is located at 602 West Front Street.The marker will recognize the life of Caesar (last name unknown), a once-enslaved Black man born in Guinea who lived on the property before serving in the Revolutionary War for the Patriots as a free man in his 70s and living to the age of 104.“Plainfield is proud to be part of the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail and to honor the life and legacy of Caesar. The unveiling of this marker is a meaningful and long-overdue moment for our community. Although not widely known beyond Plainfield and Union County, Caesar's story is a powerful reminder that the fight for freedom and justice has always included the sacrifices and contributions of African Americans, even when those contributions were not fully recognized,” said Mayor Adrian Mapp.“From enduring enslavement to gaining his freedom and serving in the Revolutionary War at the remarkable age of 78, his life reflects resilience, faith, and an enduring commitment to a nation in its earliest years,” continued the Mayor. “By honoring Caesar here at the Drake House, where he once lived, we are not only preserving his extraordinary legacy but also restoring a vital piece of history that deserves to be seen, remembered, and shared. This marker ensures that his story, and the broader contributions of African Americans to the founding of our nation, remain visible, accessible, and alive for generations to come.”The trail is intended to be a living trail, inviting visitors and passersby to engage with the site's art and history. Each historical marker will be 30 x 42 inches, with black letters on a white background and gold trim. The markers will be mounted on a 7-foot pole. A 6x6-inch aluminum plate will be attached to most marker poles, featuring a QR code that leads visitors to the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail website.On select markers, including the Drake House Museum, visitors will find a 5x10-inch aluminum plate with a Virtual Museum QR code. The New Jersey Black Heritage Trail Virtual Museum invites viewers to learn more about Black history and heritage sites in New Jersey through photographs, documents, and other related information. No application is required to access the Virtual Museum, but visitors will need to scan the QR code and follow the on-screen prompts to activate the experience.New Jersey Black Heritage Trail sites are selected through a community-driven process. Each year, the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail reviews nominations from the public as well as staff recommendations. The New Jersey Historical Commission approves the final selections.“Caesar's story has lived within the walls of the Drake House for generations, and I am deeply excited and grateful that he is finally being recognized through the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail. Every day, I feel his presence in this house and in the history we are entrusted to preserve,” said Nancy Piwowar, President of the Historical Society of Plainfield.“This marker gives Caesar the public acknowledgment he has long deserved and invites others to learn about his life, his service, and his place in Plainfield's history," continued Piwowar. "For the Historical Society of Plainfield, this is more than the unveiling of a marker. It is a moment of remembrance, gratitude, and long-overdue honor.”In addition to historical markers, the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail provides programmatic opportunities. Those interested in attending a Black history event connected to the Trail can find a curated list of offerings at https://linktr.ee/blackhistorynj.The NJHC will work in cooperation with other state agencies, each with a unique role in implementing the project. Learn more about the New Jersey Historical Commission (link) or the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail (link).