Five new historical markers that will be among the first to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander history will soon be coming to the Commonwealth.
On Tuesday, Governor Ralph Northam announced that the historical highway markers will highlight topics that include national, state and regional significance to Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) history in Virginia.
This comes after Virginia students submitted the markers through the inaugural AAPI Heritage Month Historical Marker Contest, which was launched in May. In the contest, students, teachers and families had the opportunity to learn more about Asian Americans who have had a significant impact on Virginia and also submit ideas for new historical markers to the Department of Historical Resources.
Virginia’s historical highway marker program started in 1927 and is the oldest program of its kind in the nation. The state has installed more than 2,600 historical markers.
“Throughout history, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities have made significant contributions to our Commonwealth and our country, but too often their stories remain untold,” said Northam. “As we continue working to tell a more comprehensive and inclusive Virginia story, I am grateful for the efforts of Virginia students and educators in helping elevate the voices of prominent AAPI Virginians with these five new historical markers.”
Here are the student winners along with the descriptions of the five new markers selected for installation:
“The Historical Marker Contest helped me learn more about Virginians who made a big impact, like Arthur Matso, the first Japanese-American to play in the NFL,” said Andrew Crenshaw, a rising 6th grader at Cumberland Middle School. “As I researched Arthur Matso, I learned how much he did for the sport of football and for Virginia. He played quarterback at William & Mary and coached football at several Virginia high schools, inspiring students like me to work hard and do their best.”
The five new markers are slated to be submitted to the Board of Historic in September and receive approval in the coming months.
A recording of the 2021 AAPI Heritage Month Historical Marker Contest virtual celebration is available here.
Source: WSLS News 10
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