Alexandria in Rapides Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Arna Wendell Bontemps Home
Bontemps, noted black author-poet, scholar and pioneer in children's literature, was born in Alexandria, Louisiana on October 13, 1902. he was baptized February 22, 1903 at St. Francis Xavier Caathedral. Arna, son of Paul Bismark and Marie Pembrooke Bontemps, lived in this house originally located on the corner of Ninth and Winn Streets. As a youth, he moved with his family to California. Bontemps received his B.A. degree from Pacific Union College in 1923 and his Master's Degree in library science from the University of Chicago in 1943. In 1969, he accepted a distinguished visiting professorship at Yale University. After two years, Bontemps returned to Fisk University as writer-inresidence where he served previously as chief librarian. Awards and honors: Crisis Poetry prize, 1926: Zlesander Pushkin Poetry Prize, 1926, 1927; Opportunity short story prize, 1932; Julius Rosenwald Fellow, 1938-39, 1943-43; Gugenheim Fellowship for creative writing, 1949-50; Newberry Honor Book, 1949; Jane Addams Children's Book Award, 1956; Dow Award, Society of Midland Authors, 1967; L.H.D. Morgan State College, 1969; Louisiana Black Hall of Fame, LSU-A, 1987. Bontemps died June 4, 1973 in his home in Nashville, TN
Erected by Rapides Bank & Trust Company.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list.
Location. 31° 18.57′ N, 92° 26.539′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Louisiana, in Rapides Parish. Marker is at the intersection of Third Street and St. James Street, on the right when traveling south on Third Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1327 3rd Street, Alexandria LA 71301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The James Wade Bolton House (within shouting distance of this marker); Alexandria Daily Town Talk / Old Courthouse Square (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Huie Dellmon House (about 500 feet away); Commercial Building (about 700 feet away); Alexandria Library (about 800 feet away); Alexander Fulton Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Post-Civil War Alexandria (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.
Regarding Arna Wendell Bontemps Home. The Wikipedia entry (December 2023) on the Bontemps African American Museum at the site refers to this institution in the past tense. Their Facebook page had not been updated since September 2022.
Also see . . .
1. Arna Bontemps. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 27, 2018, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.)
2. Bontemps African American Museum. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on December 2, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2018, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 311 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 27, 2018. 2. submitted on December 2, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on May 27, 2018. 4. submitted on May 27, 2018, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.