By David Fortier

This program, from the 2019 celebration of Black History Month by the local NAACP, is entitled “A Piece of African-American History.”

The event honored Deacon Joseph Hudson Sr. who turned 100 years old. Read the story here. The program includes a section about Hudson and his family.

The program also includes a Freedom Trail grant report prepared by Hudson’s late daughter Barbara Hudson. Hudson presented the findings of her grant at a Bristol Historical Society event years ago, now. It is one I attended and think about often.

The report covers the first black neighborhood of Bristol, Beacon Heights, and the legacy of James F. Snowden, first black resident of Bristol and a local landowner. The reports recommends further study and acknowledgement of the area and made their lives here.

In addition to these historical contributions, the program also includes a history of local NAACP prepared by Gail Williams of Plainville. Williams presented her findings at the February event, which included a dinner and a question and answer period with Deacon Hudson and his son, Joseph Jr.