Learn about Thomas Payton, the first African American man to own land in Bexley, and his family.
Since uncovering the story of the first African American man to own land in central Bexley, Dr. King-Owen has continued to research the Payton family history, looking for ways that the silence of the African American past in Bexley can be given a voice again, despite the scarcity of the records. This presentation will reveal what we currently know about the experiences of the Payton family as they witnessed the creation of suburban Bexley.
Speaker Bio
Scott King-Owen earned his Ph.D. in early American history at the Ohio State University in 2011. Although he is a specialist in early America, he has, since coming to Bexley, been interested in researching late 19th century suburban development and the geography of race relations. He serves as a trustee of the Bexley Historical Society and teaches courses in American history, anthropology, and psychology at Bexley High School.
AGE GROUP: | Adults |
EVENT TYPE: | Genealogy and Local History |
TAGS: | Thomas Payton | First African American Family in Bexley | Bexley history | African American history |
Bexley Public Library was founded in 1924 and first housed in Bexley High School, now Montrose Elementary School. The present building opened in 1929 and was designed by architects O.C. Miller and R.R. Reeves who drew upon French and Italian architecture from the 17th century for the design.
The library is located at 2411 East Main Street, at the intersection of East Main Street and Cassady Avenue. Parking is available in our parking lot on Euclaire Avenue and in front of the library on Main Street. Main Street is a No Parking Tow Zone from 4:00-6:00 p.m. weekdays.