My visit to the New Jersey State House
Last week I went to bring your children to work day with my parents. In the afternoon we toured the newly renovated New Jersey State House.
This was my first time going to the state house and I really enjoyed it!
I learned so much history and enjoyed the tour. There were plaques on the wall at the State House to honor people who were important to the New Jersey State Legislature. When I went home I was excited learn more about them
Who was Hutchins F. Inge?
Do you know why there is a plaque for Hutchins F. Inge at the State House?
Hutchins F. Inge was the first African American to serve in the New Jersey Senate.
He was born in 1900 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
He went to Howard University College of Medicine and began his medical practice in 1936 in Newark, New Jersey. He was a part of many organizations in New Jersey that wanted to improve life for people such as the NAACP and Urban League.
He began his political career in 1965 as a candidate for state senate and won!
He was the first African American to serve in the New Jersey Senate
Who was Walter G. Alexander?
Do you know why there is a plaque for Walter G. Alexander at the State House?
Walter G. Alexander was born in 1880 in Lynchburg, Virginia. His parents were former slaves. He attended public school and went to Lincoln University at the age of 14. After graduation he went to medical school at the Boston College of Physicians and Surgeons (this is now called Tufts University).
In 1902, he opened his medical practice in Orange, New Jersey. He also worked with organizations that wanted to make life better for people such as the NAACP. In 1911 he became involved in politics. In 1920 he won the election to the New Jersey General Assembly.
Another important African American who was part of the New Jersey Legislature was S. Howard Woodson.
He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1916 and graduated from high school there. He then went to Cheyney University and later earned graduate degrees from Morehouse and Clark Atlanta University. In 1946 he moved to Trenton, New Jersey to become the minister of Shiloh Baptist Church.
He worked in the community with the NAACP and was active in the civil right movement. He wanted to make sure that African Americans could own homes and have a voice in their communities.
In 1974 he became the first African American speaker to be elected to the New Jersey General Assembly.
Who will have a plaque at the New Jersey State House in the future?
One day there will be a plaque for Sheila Oliver.
She is currently the Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey and the first woman of color in this role.
In 2010, she became the first African American woman to serve as the Assembly Speaker and lead the state legislative house.
Did you know that she is also is a graduate of Lincoln University? She also has a master’s degree from Columbia University and several honorary doctorate degrees.
The History Kidz 