Barbra Horrell: Update on the African-American Trail

Learn about the new stops on Columbia’s African American Heritage Trail at 6 p.m. on June 25, 2024. Three new stops have been added and Barbra A.B. Horrell, co-director of the African American Heritage Trail organization, will give an overview and update at the CoMo Preservation meeting.

The meeting will be held in the Friends Room of the Columbia Public Library. All CoMo Preservation meetings are open to the public.

Horrell said the 2-mile trail marks often hidden or forgotten history.

In addition to serving on the African American Heritage Trail group, Horrell is on the Mayor’s Taskforce on the McKinney Building Planning. The McKinney Building at 401 E. Broadway was recently purchased by the City of Columbia, and public outreach and decision-making on how to use it are underway.

Horrell is a Columbia native, a graduate of Douglass High School, and a MU bachelor’s and master’s degree recipient. She retired from MU after more than 40 years there, holding positions at the medical and veterinary schools, as well as in recruitment and student retention.

The African American Heritage Trail organization began by unearthing and marking the history of Sharp End, Columbia’s African American business and housing center that was destroyed by urban renewal efforts in the 1960s. 

After marking the Sharp End locations in 2016, the all-volunteer group went to mark more than two dozen locations.

Horrell also serves on the boards of the J.W. Boone Foundation board, the Boone County Historical Society and was a member of the city’s task force to plan 2021 bicentennial.

CoMo Preservation is devoted to helping homeowners, landlords, and institutions prevent the destruction of historic architecture. Original period styles might be replicated, but will forever lack the social history of authentic structures. The preservation of historic places and spaces gives people a sense of place and boosts Columbia’s economy. You can get involved by volunteering, signing up for our mailing list, attending an event, becoming a member or donating.

Questions? Suggestions for speakers or events? Email CoMoPreservation@gmail.com