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Percy Julian’s daughter and Oak Park leaders send video messages for Montgomery marker unveiling
Summary
At a Historic Preservation Commission meeting, commissioners screened video remarks from Faith Julian, daughter of chemist Percy Julian, and Vicki Scammon, Oak Park Village president, marking a historical marker unveiled April 12 at Julian’s boyhood home.
Faith Julian, daughter of chemist Percy L. Julian, and Vicki Scammon, president of Oak Park Village, Illinois, sent recorded messages that the city’s Historic Preservation Commission screened to mark a historical marker unveiled at Julian’s boyhood home.
The messages were played during the commission’s meeting after commissioners moved to adopt minutes and review committee reports. Faith Julian said she could not attend the April 12 unveiling but sent a video: "I'm so sorry that I can't be with you on Saturday, April 12 for the unveiling of the marker commemorating my father's boyhood home. I wish so much that I could be there with you on this momentous occasion. But I'll be there in spirit." The video thanked city officials and local educators who helped arrange the event.
Why it matters: Percy L. Julian (born April 11, 1899) is a nationally recognized chemist; markers and local education efforts preserve civic memory and can prompt additional outreach and scholarship at area schools and museums.
Details from the screening and discussion at the meeting: commissioners noted the marker was unveiled April 12 and that Julian's daughter had not visited Montgomery since she was 2 years old. The commission’s chair said the marker unveiling occurred "the day after my father's birthday" (in the video) and that local leaders called Julian’s daughter during the ceremony. Vicki Scammon's recorded remarks described Oak Park’s involvement with the Julian family home and plans in Oak Park to create a "Percy Julian corridor" near the family residence to highlight his life and support Black entrepreneurship.
Commissioners and staff said they hope the marker and the videos will raise local interest in Julian’s life and encourage visits to the Montgomery school named for him. The commission did not take any formal action at this agenda item; the videos were informational and prompted follow-up discussion about outreach and education.
The commission’s education and designation committees discussed next steps for public outreach, preservation education and potential partnerships to promote the marker and Julian-related materials to schools and visitors.
