Black Heritage Trail of NH Historic Marker Unveiling - William Penn Thompson

On August 12, 2026, the Black Heritage Trail of NH unveiled its newest marker at White Park in Concord, celebrating the legendary William Penn "Bill" Thompson. From the marker: "Thompson was among the last generation of players to compete on integrated teams before the sport became fully segregated. During the 1890s, an unwritten "gentlemen's agreement" effectively barred Black players from Major League Baseball. Despite these barriers, Thompson built an impressive career, playing professionally for the Cuban Colored Giants and the Philadelphia Colored Giants, two of the most prominent Black baseball team of their era. Locally, he was a founding player of the amateur Concord Sunset League." Speakers at the unveiling include Black Heritage Trail of NH Executive Director JerriAnne Boggis, City of Concord Mayor Byron Champlin, and other dignitaries and representatives.