Falls Church, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Dr. Edwin Bancroft Henderson (1883-1977)
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 27, 2021
1. Dr. Edwin Bancroft Henderson (1883-1977) Marker
Inscription.
Dr. Edwin Bancroft Henderson (1883-1977). . E.B. Henderson, whose pioneering work fostered African American participation in athletics early in the 20th century, lived in Falls Church from 1910 to 1965. After studying physical education at Harvard, he popularized basketball in his hometown of Washington, D.C., organized leagues and associations for Black athletes and referees, and wrote The Negro in Sports (1939). He helped organized the NAACP's first rural branch, in Falls Church, was president of the Virginia NAACP, and fought segregation in education, housing, and Public facilities. Known as the "Father of Black Basketball," he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
E.B. Henderson, whose pioneering work fostered African American participation in athletics early in the 20th century, lived in Falls Church from 1910 to 1965. After studying physical education at Harvard, he popularized basketball in his hometown of Washington, D.C., organized leagues and associations for Black athletes and referees, and wrote The Negro in Sports (1939). He helped organized the NAACP's first rural branch, in Falls Church, was president of the Virginia NAACP, and fought segregation in education, housing, and Public facilities. Known as the "Father of Black Basketball," he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
Erected 2021 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number C-36.)
Location. 38° 52.852′ N, 77° 10.531′ W. Marker is in Falls Church, Virginia. Marker is on South Maple Avenue just south of Gibson Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 304 S Maple Ave, Falls Church VA 22046, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. This historical marker was born from a state-led contest for school students to nominate deserving individuals who should receive markers. Kings Glen Elementary student Sullivan Massaro was one of five students to win. Massaro proposed the marker for Henderson and was on site for its dedication in November 2021.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 27, 2021
2. Dr. Edwin Bancroft Henderson (1883-1977) Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 329 times since then and 117 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
