Erie in Erie County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Harry T. Burleigh

Photographed by Paige Miller, February 16, 2026

1. Harry T. Burleigh Marker

New marker Harry T. Burleigh (1866–1949) Eminent African American baritone, composer, editor, and pioneer arranger. Protégé of Dvořák, he set to music poems by Dunbar, Hughes, Whitman, and others. Burleigh arranged "Deep River" and many other spirituals, which he championed as "America's only original and distinctive style of music." Through his successful career and work to advance social justice, he shaped the character of American music and culture. He was born on East 3rd St.

Inscription.
Eminent African American baritone, composer, editor, and pioneer arranger. Protégé of Dvořák, he set to music poems by Dunbar, Hughes, Whitman, and others. Burleigh arranged "Deep River" and many other spirituals, which he championed as "America's only original and distinctive style of music." Through his successful career and work to advance social justice, he shaped the character of American music and culture. He was born on East 3rd St.

Erected 2019 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 42° 7.821′ N, 80° 4.981′ W. Marker is in Erie, Pennsylvania, in Erie County. It is on East 6th Street (Pennsylvania Route 5) 0.1 miles east of French Street. Located near the front of Erie Insurance headquarters. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Erie PA 16501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

marker is in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

It is also in the American Northeast,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gideon Ball House (within shouting distance of this marker); Main Library (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Oliver Hazard Perry (about 300 feet away); Edison Fountain (about 400 feet away); Perry Square (about 400 feet away); Tibbals House (about 500 feet away); Brewster House (about 500 feet away); Kennedy Row Houses (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Erie.

More about this marker. The new marker that replaced this marker has updated text.

Also see . . . Harry Thacker Burleigh at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on April 15, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, March 20, 2011

2. Harry T. Burleigh Marker

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, March 20, 2011

3. Harry T. Burleigh Marker

Harry T. Burleigh image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown

4. Harry T. Burleigh

Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,252 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 19, 2026, by Paige Miller of Getzville, New York. 2, 3. submitted on March 21, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on July 11, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.