MATTHEW GAINES MARKER TO BE DEDICATED IN BURTON

  

A new Texas Historical Marker will be dedicated next weekend to honor Senator Matthew Gaines, one of the first African American lawmakers to serve in the Texas Legislature during Reconstruction.

Part of a statewide initiative stemming from the passage of the Texas Black Reconstruction Legislators Recognition Act, the dedication honors these legislators and their lasting impact on Texas history.

The dedication ceremony to commemorate the event will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at 1pm at Long Life Brotherhood Club/Matson Park in Burton.

Special guests for the afternoon will include Alicia Costello, Texas Historical Commission Historical Marker Program Historian, Dr. Tina B. Henderson, Texas Ten Historical Explorers President, and Lori A. Moore-Bartley, great-great-great granddaughter of Matthew Gaines.

The Washington County Historical Commission welcomes the public to share in and witness this exciting historical event.

Matthew Gaines was one of 23 African Americans elected to serve the 12th, 13th and 14th Texas Legislatures during Reconstruction. Gaines was born enslaved in Louisiana and after emancipation was living in Burton and working as a Baptist preacher.

Elected to the Senate in 1867, Gaines was a strong advocate for African American constitutional rights and education.

He was also a strong proponent for legislation supporting the establishment of Agricultural & Mechanical Colleges for Black students, which resulted in the first state supported college for Blacks, now known as Prairie View A&M University.