Commission hears preview of video about chemist Percy Julian and plans marker work for family visit

The Montgomery City Historic Preservation Commission heard a summary of a video message from Faith Julian, daughter of chemist Percy LaVaughn Julian, and discussed efforts to preserve Julian’s childhood home and the school in Montgomery named for him.

Commission staff said the video could not be shown that day and will be scheduled for the August meeting. A commissioner who previewed the video described Faith Julian as “the only daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Percy Julian” and said she speaks admiringly of her father’s life, his early interest in chemistry and his later scientific achievements, including more than 130 patents and work on steroid-based medicines and fire-suppression agents during World War II.

Speakers recounted family stories included in the video: Percy Julian’s early fascination with laboratory equipment seen through the window of a local school, his use of musical skills while at DePaul University to earn income, and the Julian family’s experience living in Oak Park, outside Chicago. The speaker emphasized the family’s perseverance in the face of neighborhood hostility in the 1950s.

Commissioners also discussed the local marker and proclamation. One commissioner presented a framed proclamation from the mayor’s office acknowledging April 12 as “Dr. Percy LaVaughn Julian Day” and indicated intent to send it to Faith Julian. The commissioner said Julian’s daughter has not visited Montgomery since she was 2 years old and that the commission hopes to arrange a visit and unveil the historic marker before the end of 2025.

Commissioners noted the local school named for Percy Julian is one of only two in the South with that name and discussed the commission’s role in preserving the house and the school’s history. The commission deferred showing the full video to the August meeting so members and the public can view it together.