Clay Arsenal in Hartford in Capitol Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Black Heroes in Hartford: Mary Townsend Seymour

First Black woman to run for state office in the nation & Co-founder of the Hartford NAACP

— (1875 - 1957) —

Black Heroes in Hartford: Mary Townsend Seymour Marker image. Click for full size.

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 5, 2023

1. Black Heroes in Hartford: Mary Townsend Seymour Marker

Inscription.
In 1917, she hosted a small group gathering in her home to co-found the Hartford Branch of the NAACP.

By 1916, Townsend Seymour had already registered to vote and in 1920 went on the campaign trail to run for state representative, the first Black woman to do so in the nation.

She is celebrated for her commitment to the fight for equal rights and full citizenship for all, regardless of race.

Her grave can be found in the Old North Cemetery in Hartford.

Erected by Hartford Public Library.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Government & Politics • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 41° 46.718′ N, 72° 40.588′ W. Marker is in Hartford in Capitol Region, Connecticut. It is in Clay Arsenal. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Mather Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1754 Main St, Hartford CT 06120, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Connecticut River Valley

and in

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the Knowledge Corridor.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Hartford County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old North Cemetery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 29th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Regiment (about 300 feet away); Black Heroes in Hartford: Mary A. Johnson (about 300 feet away); Black Heroes in Hartford: Gwendolyn Clarke Reed (about 800 feet away); Black Heroes in Hartford: Rev. Dr. Richard Battles (approx. 0.4 miles away); History of the Tower (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ann Uccello (approx. 0.6 miles away); New Ross, County Wexford Park (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hartford.

Also see . . . Mary Townsend Seymour (Wikipedia article). (Submitted on August 2, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

Additional keywords. #HartfordBlackHeroes

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 5, 2023

2. Black Heroes in Hartford: Mary Townsend Seymour Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 291 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.