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WINTON – When he was alive, Hobson R. Reynolds made his mark advocating for Civil Rights, and now a historical marker will honor that legacy for all to see.

An unveiling event was held on Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Elks National Shrine in Winton.

Reynolds was born in 1898 in Winton, and later moved to Philadelphia, PA where he worked as a funeral home director and served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, introducing Civil Rights legislation after his election in 1934.

He was a member of the Improved and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World (IBPOEW), an African American fraternal organization which does a variety of charity and educational work and much more throughout the United States.

In 1936, Reynolds was elected as Director of the Civil Liberties Department for the Elks organization, and continued in that position for the next 25 years. During that time, he investigated racial discrimination reports, lobbied for racial justice and equality, and supported several prominent Civil Rights activists. He advocated for voting rights and, at one point, investigated a lynching in Missouri.

Reynolds was appointed by President Eisenhower in 1959 to the Fair Housing Administration to help work towards housing equality.

In 1961, he became the Grand Exalted Ruler of the IBPOEW where he continued his Civil Rights advocacy work. He eventually retired from his position as leader of the organization in 1982, and moved home to Winton where he lived until his death in 1991.

Today, Reynolds’ legacy continues to live on in his hometown, thanks to his donation of his family farm in the 1960s to serve as the new national headquarters of the Elks organization. Many members of the organization and other guests were in attendance on Saturday to celebrate the historic marker, which is located on the facility grounds near the intersection of Elks Road and Highway 45, so everyone passing by will get a glimpse of the new sign.

The marker is a part of the NC Civil Rights Trail, which is a project presented by the NC African American Heritage Commission (AAHC), and funded through the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

Marvin Tupper Jones from the Chowan Discovery Group helped the Elks apply for the marker by conducting research about Reynolds.

“He was brave, courageous, and always out front,” Jones said about Reynolds, adding that he remembered the leader speaking at his high school back when he was a student.

Jones also read part of a letter from the Pomeroy Foundation congratulating the organization for their new marker, saying, “our of our main initiatives is to help people celebrate their community’s history. We know this marker for Hobson Reynolds will stand as an enduring testament for future generations.”

AAHC Assistant Director Natalie Rodriguez was also in attendance, noting that the commission’s goal is to preserve and protect African American history for everyone to learn more about.

“We want to make sure that your community’s history is highlighted, and we want to make sure everyone knows our people’s story,” she said.

Winton Town Council member Bessie Pierce and Hertford County Commissioner John Horton both shared their congratulations for the new marker. Pierce stated that the organization has been a staple for the town for many years, and Horton recognized the impact they have had on the local area, with the facility providing space for entertainment, youth activities, and much more over the years.

Horton also acknowledged how things have changed since the Civil Rights movement, pointing out that Hertford County now has many Black elected officials.

“We, as a people, had to carve our way through many obstacles,” he explained. “A lot of times, we were at the right place in history but in the wrong seats. Now we see ourselves sitting in the right seats.”

Reynolds’ great-niece Lisa Lewis-Joell recalled fond memories of spending time with “Uncle Hob and Aunt Evelyn” when she was growing up.

“To see him being honored today is just a wonderful thing, because I got to live a piece of that journey with him as a small child,” she said.

Several IBPOEW members spoke during the unveiling event as well, recognizing the legacy and impact of Reynolds’ advocacy efforts, particularly in regards to voting.

“We’re so appreciative to be a part of such a great unveiling,” said Dr. Marjorie Edwards, who serves as Vice Grand Daughter Ruler. “We’ll continue to do the work that Hobson started long ago.”

Grand Lodge Esteemed Lecturing Knight Eddie Wilkes emphasized carrying on the legacy, saying, “Let’s get united. Let’s keep preserving our history. And let’s make better history.”

The organization’s current Grand Exalter Ruler, Leonard Polk, Jr., thanked everyone for attending the event.

“It’s important that we, as a community, continue to support one another, continue to build up the trust in one another, and more importantly, be committed to the legacy of those who have come before us, like the honorable Hobson R. Reynolds,” he concluded.

The celebration event was followed by a parade and other activities throughout the day.

For more information about the NC Civil Rights Trail and to view virtual versions of each marker, visit aahc.nc.gov/programs/civil-rights-trail