PORT ARTHUR, Texas — The African American Cultural Society along with the support of The Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project officially unveiled a historical Middle Passage marker on Saturday at Popeye Holmes Park.
Leaders unveiled the symbol of Southeast Texas history to commemorate the lives of African Ancestors who died during the Middle Passage.
The historical marker also honors people who were enslaved and transported through Sabine Pass in Texas between 1817 and 1837.
Saturday's celebration included historian speakers and an African performance team.
12News spoke to the Vice President of the African American Cultural Society Phyllis Baker who says the marker is a tribute to the strength and perseverance of people who were enslaved.
"And once they found out that it was factual, then we went about deciding what our marker would look like because you didn't have to have a marker, you could just do a ceremony," said Baker.
"But we did a ceremony and a marker and we have, I believe one of the prettiest and most detailed and inspiring monuments along the whole east coast and gulf coast."
The Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project places historical plaques at different ports where enslaved people were transported.
According to a release from the MPCPMP, part of the Sabine River region that forms some of the border between Texas and Louisiana is a documented location where captive Africans first arrived after being forced to leave their homeland.
The "Remembering Ancestors" marker cost 10,000 dollars and it's the second one in Texas.
The first historical marker is located in Galveston, Texas and was installed in 2017.
You can find the "Remembering Ancestors" site at Popeye Holmes Park located at 500 4th St. Port Arthur, Texas.
For more information on the installation of Middle Passage markers at documented arrival sites, find it here.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.