News

The Akron Municipal Court and the Glendale Cemetery will co-host an in-person tribute on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 beginning at 1:00 p.m. for Civil War Veteran and inventor Henry Pickett.

This is the fourth consecutive year the Akron Municipal Court has hosted an event in November to honor a local veteran.

The ceremony will take place in the Civil War Memorial Chapel on the Glendale property followed by a walking tour of the cemetery.

Members of the press and public are welcome to attend the event taking place at 150 Glendale Avenue in Akron.

Mr. Pickett, and African American Civil War veteran, lived from 1826 until 1897 and is buried at Glendale Cemetery along with his wife and sons. The family is buried in Section 2, Lot 30.

During the Civil War, Pickett joined the 27th United States Regiment in 1864, serving in Georgia, South Carolina and Florida until 1865. He was an inventor, having applied for a patent on March 2, 1874, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for improvements in plastering-scaffolds.

As the years passed, he eventually opened Pickett’s Hall, a Main Street venue where the community could enjoy dances, club meetings and other gatherings.

Pickett and his wife lived in a home at Ridge Street and North Howard Street between the present-day Northside Marketplace and Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad station. They eventually moved to Hill Street, where E.J. Thomas Hall stands today.

The following speakers are listed on the agenda for the ceremony:

• Dennis Parks, Court Management System Project Manager for the Akron Municipal Court, will describe Mr. Pickett’s journey as a veteran and an inventor.
  
  
• Brooke Taylor, a local author and radio personality who is the wife of a veteran, will discuss how military spouses can support their significant other and how civilians can offer support to military families.
  
  
• John Gurnish, a local author and Civil War historian, will speak about the impact of African Americans in the Civil War and contributions from Mr. Pickett and other Civil War veterans buried at Glendale Cemetery.

The Chapel is not heated, so please dress appropriately based on the day’s weather forecast.

November 1 was chosen as the date as it kicks off Veteran and Military Family Month.

"I would like to thank all United States Veterans for their service," said Akron Municipal Court Judge Jerry Larson who also presides over the Valor Court, a specialized Veteran’s treatment docket. "Mr. Pickett’s journey is unique and I appreciate the Glendale Cemetery leadership team for partnering with us to host this event."

Greeters will point guests in the proper direction for parking and entry into the Memorial Chapel upon arrival.

Any questions related to the event should be directed to the Court’s Community Outreach and Grants Coordinator Nicole Hagy at (330) 375-2186 or NHagy@akronohio.gov.

Dennis Parks

Brooke Taylor

John Gurnish