10/22/2021 - [VIDEO] Huntington Renames Gateway Plaza to Honor Late Civil Rights Activist Paul H. Johnson, Sr. Historical Marker Unveiled at Ceremony Near Former Site of Odd Fellows Hall, Meeting Place Significant to Huntington’s Black History VIDEO: https://huntingtonny.granicus.com/player/clip/2666?&redirect=true Huntington Station – Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, Councilman and Deputy Supervisor Ed Smyth, Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, Councilwoman Joan Cergol and Town Clerk Andrew P. Raia were joined by Legislator William Spencer, Town Historian Robert Hughes, the Town’s African American Historic Designation Council (AAHDC), Town African American Advisory Task Force (AATF), the NAACP Huntington Branch, Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, and three generations of the late Paul H. Johnson, Sr.’s family for a dedication ceremony renaming Gateway Plaza in the civil rights activist’s honor and the unveiling of an historical marker at the site of the former Odd Fellows Hall on Saturday, September 25. “Paul Johnson, Sr. was instrumental in increasing participation in local civics and played a pivotal role in making history in Huntington, electing our first African American Town Board member, Glenda Jackson,” said Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci. “Paul Johnson committed his life in service to his community. Even at 90 years old, he was teaching Sunday school, and he set an example for civil discourse with his lifelong friendship with fellow Korean War veteran, Anthony Mastroianni; they publicly went down different political roads but remained friends until the end.” Councilman Mark Cuthbertson said, “Paul Johnson, was an advocate, he asked that we all try to do better. It is so fitting that this spot that we dedicate to him today was once a place he met with his Boy Scout troop. For many years it sat as a vacant lot; now it rises as a sign of the importance of the revitalization of Huntington Station in Paul’s honor.” Councilwoman Joan Cergol said, “Paul H. Johnson, Sr. was an inspiration to all of us looking to make our communities better. I am grateful to have been able to dedicate Gateway Plaza in memory of a man who was nothing short of a civil rights icon here in Huntington. Like this plaza, his contributions to our community will last generations.” Councilman and Deputy Supervisor Ed Smyth stated, “Those of us who did not have the pleasure and honor of knowing Mr. Johnson can look around the plaza today and see the pillars of the Huntington community who have turned out to honor him and recognize his lifetime of work. I'm proud to be here to support this effort as it is a great honor and well-deserved for Mr. Johnson and his family.” Town Clerk Andrew Raia said, “This week we honored two Huntington Station legends, Dolores ‘Dee’ Thompson and Paul H. Johnson, Sr. Paul’s dedication to our community and his fight for equality is most admirable, and his legacy will be preserved for years to come.” Paul Johnson, Sr.'s granddaughters spoke on behalf of the Johnson family: Anastasia Johnson quoted Nelson Mandela, whom Paul Johnson, Sr. knew personally, to honor her grandfather's legacy, “For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others” Isabella Careccia-Johnson acknowledged “standing up for your rights takes immense courage, it is something many people struggle to do," and spoke of her grandfather, who led by example for others to "stand up for what you believe in, spread love, and strive towards creating the best town possible.” Irene Moore, Chairperson of the Town of Huntington African American Historic Designation Council stated, “I would like to thank the Town Board for honoring the Council and the NAACP Huntington Branch’s recommendation to rename Gateway Plaza, “Paul H. Johnson, Sr. Gateway Plaza,” and for providing support for the “Odd Fellows Hall Historical Marker.” Brother Johnson’s love for politics and his strong belief in equality for all left his footprints in the annals of time and made a difference in the Town of Huntington and beyond.” Fellow AAHDC board member Rev. Glorious Artis also attended the ceremony, along with Ken Johnson, member of the Town’s African American Advisory Task Force. Veronique Bailey, President of the NAACP Huntington Chapter, presented flowers to Johnson family matriarch Fannie Johnson, and stated, “We are so excited to celebrate such a great champion in our community," noting Paul Johnson's influence on her life. "He spoke to us about the importance of carrying on the legacy of fighting for justice and equality for everyone in our community, to continue to strive to do better and do our part to ensure the community has diverse, inclusive representation in our government.” Rev. Dr. Larry Washington, Paul Johnson’s pastor at Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, said “Paul Johnson always told the community to get out and vote if you don't vote don't squawk Paul Johnson was the bishop of Huntington he wanted the best for the community he loves his family his church and his community as you know he played a vital part in the Huntington township he was a voice to be reckoned with he was a hard worker for civil rights one that didn't mind letting people know that black lives matter.” Reverend Jerome Smith of Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church attended the ceremony and presented flowers to Johnson family matriarch, Fannie Johnson, from the church’s Sunday school, where Paul Johnson, Sr. taught classes until he was 90 years of age. Attending with Paul H. Johnson, Sr.'s family was his sister, the matriarch of the family, Fannie Johnson; son Aaron Johnson; daughters-in-law Liz Careccia and Daune Harrison; grandchildren Anastasia Johnson, Isabella Careccia-Johnson, Valentina Careccia-Johnson, Paul Harrison and Andrew Harrison; cousins Valerie Howard, Connie Johnson, Alana Johnson, and Keva Murden; nieces Valerie Johnson, Earline Johnson, Julie Howard, and Gina Johnson; and nephews Thomas Howard, Guy Johnson and family friend, Susan Patinian. At the October 20, 2020 Town Board meeting, the Town Board renamed Gateway Plaza in Huntington Station after lifelong resident and active community leader Paul H. Johnson, Sr. at the recommendation of the Town of Huntington African American Historic Designation Council and the NAACP Huntington Branch. Paul H. Johnson, Sr. was a Huntington High School Class of 1948 track star and lifelong member and leader of the Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church. A U.S. Army veteran and a paratrooper in the Korean War, Johnson was a charter member of the Setauket American Legion Irving Hart Post #1766. He was a former first vice president of the NAACP Huntington Branch and a lifetime member of NAACP. Paul Johnson, Sr. was instrumental in increasing participation in local civics by Huntington’s African American residents. He played a pivotal role in electing the Town's first African American Town Councilmember. Odd Fellows Hall was significant to Huntington’s Black history, as it served as a local meeting place central to social activities for Huntington’s African American community from 1922-1945. Gateway Plaza is where Paul Johnson's Boy Scout Unit #106 met in Odd Fellows Hall, more recently known as Brothers Barber Shop, before it was demolished in 2017 to make way for the Gateway project. At one point, the building was owned by Charles H. Ballton, the son of the famous former slave and Union soldier-turned-Huntington success story, “Greenlawn Pickle King” Samuel Ballton, whom the Town honored earlier this year. The historical marker for Odd Fellows Hall was paid for by a Huntington Station Revitalization CBA Community Grant at the request of the Town’s African American Historic Designation Council. DOWNLOAD VIDEO: https://huntingtonny.granicus.com/player/clip/2666?&redirect=true ###
Historical Marker Unveiled at Ceremony Near Former Site of Odd Fellows Hall, Meeting Place Significant to Huntington’s Black History
VIDEO: https://huntingtonny.granicus.com/player/clip/2666?&redirect=true
Huntington Station – Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, Councilman and Deputy Supervisor Ed Smyth, Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, Councilwoman Joan Cergol and Town Clerk Andrew P. Raia were joined by Legislator William Spencer, Town Historian Robert Hughes, the Town’s African American Historic Designation Council (AAHDC), Town African American Advisory Task Force (AATF), the NAACP Huntington Branch, Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, and three generations of the late Paul H. Johnson, Sr.’s family for a dedication ceremony renaming Gateway Plaza in the civil rights activist’s honor and the unveiling of an historical marker at the site of the former Odd Fellows Hall on Saturday, September 25.
“Paul Johnson, Sr. was instrumental in increasing participation in local civics and played a pivotal role in making history in Huntington, electing our first African American Town Board member, Glenda Jackson,” said Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci. “Paul Johnson committed his life in service to his community. Even at 90 years old, he was teaching Sunday school, and he set an example for civil discourse with his lifelong friendship with fellow Korean War veteran, Anthony Mastroianni; they publicly went down different political roads but remained friends until the end.”
Councilman Mark Cuthbertson said, “Paul Johnson, was an advocate, he asked that we all try to do better. It is so fitting that this spot that we dedicate to him today was once a place he met with his Boy Scout troop. For many years it sat as a vacant lot; now it rises as a sign of the importance of the revitalization of Huntington Station in Paul’s honor.”
Councilwoman Joan Cergol said, “Paul H. Johnson, Sr. was an inspiration to all of us looking to make our communities better. I am grateful to have been able to dedicate Gateway Plaza in memory of a man who was nothing short of a civil rights icon here in Huntington. Like this plaza, his contributions to our community will last generations.”
Councilman and Deputy Supervisor Ed Smyth stated, “Those of us who did not have the pleasure and honor of knowing Mr. Johnson can look around the plaza today and see the pillars of the Huntington community who have turned out to honor him and recognize his lifetime of work. I'm proud to be here to support this effort as it is a great honor and well-deserved for Mr. Johnson and his family.”
Town Clerk Andrew Raia said, “This week we honored two Huntington Station legends, Dolores ‘Dee’ Thompson and Paul H. Johnson, Sr. Paul’s dedication to our community and his fight for equality is most admirable, and his legacy will be preserved for years to come.”
Paul Johnson, Sr.'s granddaughters spoke on behalf of the Johnson family:
Anastasia Johnson quoted Nelson Mandela, whom Paul Johnson, Sr. knew personally, to honor her grandfather's legacy, “For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others”
Isabella Careccia-Johnson acknowledged “standing up for your rights takes immense courage, it is something many people struggle to do," and spoke of her grandfather, who led by example for others to "stand up for what you believe in, spread love, and strive towards creating the best town possible.”
Irene Moore, Chairperson of the Town of Huntington African American Historic Designation Council stated, “I would like to thank the Town Board for honoring the Council and the NAACP Huntington Branch’s recommendation to rename Gateway Plaza, “Paul H. Johnson, Sr. Gateway Plaza,” and for providing support for the “Odd Fellows Hall Historical Marker.” Brother Johnson’s love for politics and his strong belief in equality for all left his footprints in the annals of time and made a difference in the Town of Huntington and beyond.” Fellow AAHDC board member Rev. Glorious Artis also attended the ceremony, along with Ken Johnson, member of the Town’s African American Advisory Task Force.
Veronique Bailey, President of the NAACP Huntington Chapter, presented flowers to Johnson family matriarch Fannie Johnson, and stated, “We are so excited to celebrate such a great champion in our community," noting Paul Johnson's influence on her life. "He spoke to us about the importance of carrying on the legacy of fighting for justice and equality for everyone in our community, to continue to strive to do better and do our part to ensure the community has diverse, inclusive representation in our government.”
Rev. Dr. Larry Washington, Paul Johnson’s pastor at Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, said “Paul Johnson always told the community to get out and vote if you don't vote don't squawk Paul Johnson was the bishop of Huntington he wanted the best for the community he loves his family his church and his community as you know he played a vital part in the Huntington township he was a voice to be reckoned with he was a hard worker for civil rights one that didn't mind letting people know that black lives matter.”
Reverend Jerome Smith of Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church attended the ceremony and presented flowers to Johnson family matriarch, Fannie Johnson, from the church’s Sunday school, where Paul Johnson, Sr. taught classes until he was 90 years of age.
Attending with Paul H. Johnson, Sr.'s family was his sister, the matriarch of the family, Fannie Johnson; son Aaron Johnson; daughters-in-law Liz Careccia and Daune Harrison; grandchildren Anastasia Johnson, Isabella Careccia-Johnson, Valentina Careccia-Johnson, Paul Harrison and Andrew Harrison; cousins Valerie Howard, Connie Johnson, Alana Johnson, and Keva Murden; nieces Valerie Johnson, Earline Johnson, Julie Howard, and Gina Johnson; and nephews Thomas Howard, Guy Johnson and family friend, Susan Patinian.
At the October 20, 2020 Town Board meeting, the Town Board renamed Gateway Plaza in Huntington Station after lifelong resident and active community leader Paul H. Johnson, Sr. at the recommendation of the Town of Huntington African American Historic Designation Council and the NAACP Huntington Branch.
Paul H. Johnson, Sr. was a Huntington High School Class of 1948 track star and lifelong member and leader of the Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church. A U.S. Army veteran and a paratrooper in the Korean War, Johnson was a charter member of the Setauket American Legion Irving Hart Post #1766. He was a former first vice president of the NAACP Huntington Branch and a lifetime member of NAACP.
Paul Johnson, Sr. was instrumental in increasing participation in local civics by Huntington’s African American residents. He played a pivotal role in electing the Town's first African American Town Councilmember.
Odd Fellows Hall was significant to Huntington’s Black history, as it served as a local meeting place central to social activities for Huntington’s African American community from 1922-1945. Gateway Plaza is where Paul Johnson's Boy Scout Unit #106 met in Odd Fellows Hall, more recently known as Brothers Barber Shop, before it was demolished in 2017 to make way for the Gateway project.
At one point, the building was owned by Charles H. Ballton, the son of the famous former slave and Union soldier-turned-Huntington success story, “Greenlawn Pickle King” Samuel Ballton, whom the Town honored earlier this year.
The historical marker for Odd Fellows Hall was paid for by a Huntington Station Revitalization CBA Community Grant at the request of the Town’s African American Historic Designation Council.
DOWNLOAD VIDEO: https://huntingtonny.granicus.com/player/clip/2666?&redirect=true
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