History Made: Soil Collection to Remember Thomas Juricks

Thank you to everyone who made our Soil Collection a huge success.

We are still celebrating the packed house (200 seats); the talented chorus, soloist, dancer, and poet from local high schools; evocative adult poet and soloist; our moving speakers; the support of the staffs of Prince George’s County Parks’ Black History Program and Harmony Hall; and the reverent participation by so many in the soil collection ceremony to honor Mr. Juricks, led by Chapel Hill residents and students who built the Memorial Carts and dug up the soil in nearby Chapel Hill. Mr. Thomas Juricks will never again be forgotten!

We wanted to share with everyone links to the digital version of the beautiful and history-packed Printed Program for the event and to our media coverage:

Digital copy of the Printed Program:  Printed Program_FINAL from BHP+ltr w bleed 2P.pdf 


Washington Post:  front page of the Metro Section on Sunday
https://wapo.st/3MSfeWQ
The Intersection MagazineFort Washington Community Held A Homegoing Service For Thomas Juricks, a Black Man Lynched in 1869 — The Intersection Magazine
WJLA: Thursday evening news Prince George’s to honor Thomas Juricks, victim of county’s oldest documented lynching | WJLA
CTV News: Wednesday evening news
 CTV News 4/12/23 at the 8:10 mark

Fact Sheets Now Available

We have made available some Fact Sheets about Thomas Juricks, Racial Terror Lynching, and the PGCLMP on our Videos and Resources page.

Fact Sheets

  1. Fact Sheet on Thomas Juricks:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iImB0_HusDveNMPe_gRWTdeQL3YKVXtS/view?usp=sharing
  2. Fact Sheet – What is a Racial Terror Lynching?: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yECCupVUnreW3Yh4Neand39egnhS1VYo/view?usp=sharing
  3. Fact Sheet – What is the PGCLMP?: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gFDjaSXE_UBvR2ch6vTUYVfRSOjR0qIt/view?usp=sharing

The Untold Story of the 1869 Lynching of Mr. Thomas Juricks in Piscataway

In this exclusive video, we invite you to understand history that is often not told – the story of a lynching in one of our Prince George’s County communities. Watch this presentation shared at a local library.

It also explains the necessity to tell this buried story from our past while learning about the PGCLMP and how you can get involved in their work around truth, reconciliation, and healing.

The Untold Story of the 1869 Lynching of Mr. Thomas Juricks in Piscataway

Information here: https://ww1.pgcmls.info/event/6372270

Date: Saturday, May 21, 11 AM – 12 PM

Where: Oxon Hill Library

Were you aware that a Black man was lynched in Piscataway in 1869? Likely not, as with other racial terror lynchings, these incidents were not shared historically. This presentation tells Mr. Juricks’ tragic story, one of four documented racial terror lynchings that occurred in Prince George’s County, Maryland. It also explains the necessity to tell this buried story from our past while learning about the PGCLMP and how you can get involved in their work around truth, reconciliation, and healing.

Please be advised that the status, location, or format of this event may change based on COVID-19 pandemic conditions. Please visit this page prior to traveling to the branch/venue for the program.

  • Face masks and physical distancing are required for all participants over the age of 2.
  • Please register via the link on this page or by calling (240) 455-5451 to show interest and to receive event updates.
  • Registration does not guarantee admission.
  • Participation is permitted on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Capacity limits may apply.

Tenga en cuenta que el estado, ubicación, o formato de este evento puede cambiar dependiendo de las condiciones de la pandemia COVID-19. Por favor, visite esta página antes de ir a la sucursal/lugar para el programa.

  • Máscaras y distancia social se requieren para todos los participantes mayores de dos años.
  • Por favor regístrese por medio del enlace en esta página o llame al (240) 455-5451 para demostrar su interés y recibir las últimas noticias.
  • La registración no garantiza su admisión. 
  • La participación se permite por orden de llegada.
  • Podrá aplicarse límites de capacidad.

How the Word Is Passed

Gather with us for this two-part book discussion on Clint Smith’s book, How the Word Is Passed, on April 5 and 19. The link in the flyer is clickable, but you can also RSVP here.

We welcome you to attend the second session even if you missed the first.

We are excited to have Maya Davis, Director of the Riverside House Museum, and Dr. Dennis Doster, Prince George’s County Black History Program Manager, serving as our guest facilitators for what promises to be a lively, informative and impactful discussion.

New Essay Contest

The Equal Justice Initiative in partnership with the Prince George’s County Lynching Memorial Project is pleased to announce an upcoming scholarship contest open to 9th – 12th grade students attending public high school in Prince George’s County, where prizes totaling at least $5,000 will be awarded to winning participants. 

Students are asked to examine the history of a topic of racial injustice and to discuss its legacy today. Essays should explain the chosen topic using a specific historical event(s), explore how the injustice persists, and imagine solutions for a future free from racial injustice. Students are encouraged to reflect on how the topic impacts their own lives and communities.

Read more about the contest and how to submit an entry.

Greenbelt Votes to Form Reparations Commission

A fascinating local story about one city in our county moving forward to consider reparations:

A Prince George’s County community might move one step closer to providing some of its residents reparations.

Greenbelt voters will decide in an election Tuesday whether to establish a 21-member commission to review, discuss, and make recommendations related to providing reparations for the city’s African American and Native American residents.

Read more: https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/maryland/prince-georges-city-to-vote-on-creating-reparations-commission/65-557bfc98-5e3c-43fa-a4f6-320bb49985fb

Lynching in Maryland Conference

Maryland Lynching Memorial Project, our state parent organization, is hosting its 4th annual conference online on Saturday, November 6, 2021 with powerful speakers and resources for this important truth telling work. Details from their registration site are below:

The Maryland Lynching Memorial Project is holding our 4th annual “Lynching in Maryland” conference on Saturday, November 6, 2021 from 9.30a to 12.30p. Once again this year, the conference will be held virtually due to the ongoing public health emergency. 

As in years past, the program will include a variety of presentations, panel discussions and films that consider the history of racial terror lynching in Maryland, its lasting effects and efforts around the state to confront the truth so that healing and reconciliation might be achieved.

Register here.