THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Travis Jackson

 

Dr. Travis Jackson was entering fourth grade in 1943 when Thurgood Marshall came to Hillburn to help in the desegregation of the village's schools. As an educator, Dr. Jackson was the first African American to teach at Suffern High School. He later became an administrator in Ridgewood, New Jersey. He was a critical contributor to the quadricentennial celebrations in Rockland County with key leadership roles in both “The Tappan Zee Bridge” with The Historical Society of Rockland County and the “Mighty River” project with the AAHS of Rockland County, RCC and The CEJJES Institute. Other awards include:

 

• Distinguished Alumnus at SUNY, Cortland, 1992

• Suffern High School Alumnus of the year, 1996

• Ashby Award Recipient, 1997 – the Highest Award that a Ridgewood teacher or administrator can receive

• Member of the Rockland County Civil Rights Hall of Fame

• Rockland County Sports Hall of Fame

• The Rockland County Executive’s Historic Preservation Merit Award: The Margaret and John Zehner award for Historic Preservation 2011

 

Dr. Jackson has written and spoken extensively on desegregation in Hillburn and was one a keynote speakers at the Thurgood Marshall Commemoration day celebration in 2010 at the Hillburn School. In addition, Dr. Jackson continues to perform speaking engagements on many other subjects relating to the history of Rockland County.