Huntington honors groundbreaking black poet

The Town of Huntington will celebrate Black History Month in part by honoring a former resident who paved the way for others in print.

Jupiter Hammon, America’s first published black poet, will be celebrated Feb. 3 at Town Hall, 100 Main St. Hammon (1722-1806) was born in what is now Lloyd Harbor; he lived there and on West Shore Road in Huntington.

The town’s African American Historic Designation Council has produced a booklet for the event that, among other entries, traces Hammon’s family history and offers samples of his poems. The keynote will be delivered by Deborah A. Dowling, who has served since 1996 as a State Supreme Court justice in Brooklyn.

The public celebration, which starts at 7 p.m., will include music. For more information, contact Denise Williams, the town’s director of minority affairs, at 631-351-2842 or e-mail dwilliams@town.huntington.ny.us.