Clay Arsenal in Hartford in Capitol Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Black Heroes in Hartford: Gwendolyn Clarke Reed
Actress, Playwright, Community Storyteller (1912 - 1974)
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By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 5, 2023
1. Black Heroes in Hartford: Gwendolyn Clarke Reed Marker
Reed moved to Hartford in 1916, where she would attend Hartford High School and Hartford Federal College.
She joined WPA's Negro Theatre Project in Hartford in her mid-twenties, and would appear in plays such as "Trilogy in Black," "Porgy," "One Third of a Nation," and "Haiti."
She toured the nation as Aunt Jemima for the Quaker Oats Company from 1946 through 1964.
She performed in plays at The Hartford Stage Company throughout the 1960s, served on the board of directors for four years, and started a reading and recreation program for kids in the Bellevue Square housing project, where she resided.
Erected by Hartford Public Library.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Women. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.
Location. 41° 46.843′ N, 72° 40.578′ W. Marker is in Hartford in Capitol Region, Connecticut. It is in Clay Arsenal. It is on Main Street south of Mahl Avenue, on the right when
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Connecticut River Valley and in 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 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 29th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Regiment (about 400 feet away); Black Heroes in Hartford: Mary Townsend Seymour (about 800 feet away); Black Heroes in Hartford: Mary A. Johnson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Black Heroes in Hartford: Rev. Dr. Richard Battles (approx. 0.2 miles away); History of the Tower (approx. half a mile away); Black Heroes in Hartford: Judge Boce Barlow (approx. 0.6 miles away); Black Heroes in Hartford: Marcus Camby (approx. 0.7 miles away).
By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 5, 2023
2. Black Heroes in Hartford: Gwendolyn Clarke Reed 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 249 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
