Columbus in Muscogee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Thomas Greene Bethune
"Blind Tom"
— 1849 – 1908 —
America's distinguished black pianists
and composers.
A Landmark of American Music
Erected 1983 by the National Music Council, Georgia Federation of Music Clubs, Afro-American Music Opportunists Association, Inc. and Exxon.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music.
Location. 32° 27.375′ N, 84° 59.702′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Georgia, in Muscogee County. Marker can be reached from Front Avenue south of West 6th Street. Located between the railroad tracks and the Chattahoochee Riverwalk (below). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Front Avenue, Columbus GA 31901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Horace King (1807 - 1887) (here, next to this marker); Gertrude "Ma" Rainey (here, next to this marker); Frontier Wars (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Boats (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Supply (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Columbus (within shouting distance of this marker); Soft Drinks (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mass - Produced Ice Machines (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.
Regarding Thomas Greene Bethune. At ten years of age, piano prodigy and composer "Blind Tom" is believed to have been the first African American artist to perform at the White House when he played for President James Buchanan in 1860.
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia article on Blind Tom Wiggins. (Submitted on February 14, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. New Georgia Encyclopedia article on Thomas "Blind Tom" Wiggins (1849-1908). (Submitted on February 14, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 548 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 14, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.