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Board OKs Freedom Trail marker for Annie Devine on Madison County Courthouse grounds
Summary
The Board approved a request from the Canton Convention and Visitors Bureau to place a Freedom Trail marker honoring Annie Devine on the courthouse square, with staff directed to confirm location and marker text.
The Madison County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a request on Jan. 20 from Canton Convention and Visitors Bureau to place a Freedom Trail marker honoring Annie Devine on the west side of the Madison County Courthouse square.
Billy Wells of the Canton Convention and Visitor Bureau asked the board for permission to use the courthouse grounds for an unveiling tied to a Feb. 25 celebration at Canton High School. Wells said the marker will honor Annie Devine, noting she was the first Black woman to speak at the U.S. House of Representatives and that her daughter, Barbara Brown Russell, is a Canton resident helping coordinate the event.
Supervisor Brandon Griffin moved to approve the courthouse location; supervisors asked County Administrator Greg Locke and the county building/grounds director to confirm that the proposed location would not block utilities and to review the proposed marker text. Locke said staff would review both the site and the language on the marker and coordinate with the requesters; the board approved the motion without objection.
Wells said no additional on-site setup would be required for the unveiling and asked that the county work with the family and the bureau on logistics. The unveiling is scheduled for Feb. 25 at Canton High School auditorium with a reception to follow.
