Visions And Voices Premiere

Laurel Museum To Open Exhibit On African American Voting In February

Keith Sydnor’s 2023 election as Laurel’s first African American mayor was an important milestone but only part of the African American voting story in this city of 30,000. The Laurel Museum’s newest temporary exhibit “Visions and Voices 1920-2023 The African American Voting Experience in Laurel, Maryland” running February 16-June 16, 2024, celebrates his and others’ election accomplishments. The exhibit also explores some of the highlights and perspectives of African Americans who ran for office. Through artifacts, interviews, and a timeline, it puts them into perspective within the United States and Prince

Part of the exhibit: Campaign materials for Keith Sydnor, elected Laurel’s first African American mayor on November 7, 2023. PHOTO: LAUREL HISTORICAL SOCIETY COLLECTION

George’s County. Visitors to the museum, located at 817 Main Street in Laurel, Maryland will discover campaign materials, and a 1922 Poll Book which lists registered voters. Men are listed separately from women, and people of color are noted with a “(col)” next to their name. Curiously, while “col” men were listed, no “col” women were. In 1928, a similar book listed nine women of color. A timeline notes the election of Reginald Parks in 1992, Laurel’s first African American Council member, Fred Smalls, the longest serving African American Council Member, and Valerie Nicholas, first African American woman elected as Council President, while highlighting important Laurel and U.S. voting developments.

“We thought last year’s election was the time to look at some of the electoral achievements of Laurel’s leading African American citizens,” noted Ann Bennett, LHS Executive Director. “We asked those who were running and had run in the past why they ran, and also their experiences, which several generously shared.” While celebrating the achievements of African Americans to elected office, the exhibit has a sub-theme on the difficulties of increasingly low voter turnout in the community. In 1920, 95% of the registered voters turned out. In 2023, during a hotly contested mayoral and Council races, only 13% of those registered voted.

First page of the 1922 Laurel, MD voter registration book. Two African American men, Colbert Addison and Samuel America, are noted as “(col).” PHOTO: LAUREL HISTORICAL SOCIETY COLLECTION, GIFT OF JAMES BOSS

“Visions and Voices” will run concurrently with the Laurel Museum’s current long-term exhibit, “It’s All Laurel,” which continues through August 2024. That exhibit looks at the different neighborhoods and communities within and outside the Laurel city limits, which share the Laurel name. Beginning February 16 the Laurel Museum is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 12-4p.m. Admission is free. For more information contact visit www.laurelhistoricalsociety.org or contact info@laurelhistoricalsociety.org.