Green Bay in Prince Edward County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Blanche Kelso Bruce
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010
1. Blanche Kelso Bruce Marker
Inscription.
Blanche Kelso Bruce, African American political leader, was born into slavery south of here on 1 Mar. 1841. He grew up in Virginia, Mississippi, and Missouri before escaping slavery during the Civil War. In 1869 Bruce moved back to Mississippi and became active in local and state politics. In Feb. 1874, the Mississippi legislature elected him to the U.S. Senate. Bruce was the first black to serve a full term in the Senate (1875-1881). After completing his term in office, he held several political positions in Washington, D.C. He died on 17 Mar. 1898 in Washington, D.C., and was interred there in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Blanche Kelso Bruce, African American political leader, was born into slavery south of here on 1 Mar. 1841. He grew up in Virginia, Mississippi, and Missouri before escaping slavery during the Civil War. In 1869 Bruce moved back to Mississippi and became active in local and state politics. In Feb. 1874, the Mississippi legislature elected him to the U.S. Senate. Bruce was the first black to serve a full term in the Senate (1875-1881). After completing his term in office, he held several political positions in Washington, D.C. He died on 17 Mar. 1898 in Washington, D.C., and was interred there in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Erected 2005 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number M-35.)
Location. 37° 8.16′ N, 78° 18.699′ W. Marker is in Green Bay, Virginia, in Prince Edward County. Marker is at the intersection of Patrick Henry Highway (U.S. 360) and Tower Road (County Route 623), on the right when traveling west on Patrick Henry Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Green Bay VA 23942, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . . 1. Blanche Kelso Bruce (1841-1898). Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (Submitted on May 23, 2010.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,119 times since then and 10 times this year. Last updated on April 14, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on May 23, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
