Two Benches of the Bench by the Road Project Become Sites of Recent Juneteenth Celebrations
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Cobb County Bench
On Tuesday June 14th, The Friends of the Historic Covered Bridge District in Cobb County Georgia rededicated the Bench by the Road placed in honor of Matilda Ruff, an enslaved woman and her family. The Bench was placed last year on June 18th at the site of the Covered Bridge near what was once the Ruff Plantation. The Cobb County Bench was the 34th Bench of the Bench by the Road Project.
This year, the Friends returned to rededicate the Bench and celebrate the beautiful flower landscaping now planted around the Bench, which they call "Matilda's Garden". Present for the rededication was a descendant of Matilda Ruff, Tanyah Cotton, who spoke lovingly of what this occasion meant to her and her family. City and county officials, including US Congresswoman Lucy McBath, were also present and spoke at the rededication. Carolyn Denard, Board Chair of the Society also gave a tribute. Quanzerria Dupree, a spoken word artist, recited a riveting poem celebrating Juneteenth and African American History. For more about the Cobb County Bench click here.
Nyack, New York Bench
The 15th Bench placed in Toni Morrison's hometown of Nyack, New York was the site of Juneteenth celebration on Thursday June 19th where the community of Nyack in celebration of Juneteenth rededicated Bench, and the life of Cynthia Hesdra was inscribed on a new plaque. Bill Batson, local Nyack community leader who was instrumental in having the Bench placed in Memorial Park in Nyack. Dr. Lori Martin, a native of Nyack and a member of the Society, also attended the rededication. For more on Cynthia Hesdra click here.
These two Juneteenth Commemorative occasions at the site of the Benches that are part of the Bench by the Road Project represent just the kind of site of memory and reflection that the Society hoped the Benches would become. The Toni Morrison Society congratulates the Friends of the Concord Covered Bridge Historic District and the members of the Nyack community for making these Benches important living historical markers in their communities.
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