On the 100th anniversary of trailblazing musician Henry Glover's birth, Henry Glover Place, a parklet located on Malvern Avenue, was dedicated Friday by the city of Hot Springs.
Glover was an African American musician and music executive who worked on "Peppermint Twist" by Joey Dee and the Starliters and "California Sun" by The Rivieras.
The parklet, located in the 300 block of Malvern Avenue, features the "Black Broadway" mural painted by Pepe Gaka and Anthony Tidwell as an homage to the city's musical history. Additional plans for the space include memorializing in sculpture the musical notes for "Peppermint Twist."
"Obviously, this a special day for the Glover family. What can't be said about Henry Glover?" said Lance Spicer, deputy city manager, who opened the dedication.
"The man was a trailblazer, had so many accomplishments at a time when there were less opportunities for African Americans, and for the accomplishments that he had, really speaks to the special place that Hot Springs is. Hot Springs has produced many many talented individuals, and Mr. Glover is obviously one of those who went very far. This parklet, we're honored to name this Henry Glover Place," Spicer said.
Video not playing? Click here https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZXMVK6ou4HM
Two of Glover's relatives, daughter Sherry Glover Thompson, of Laurel, Md., and niece Helen Ruth Collins, of Coden, Ala., were in attendance Friday.
"It is quite an honor today for me to be here to share this special occasion," Collins said, sharing personal stories about her uncle such as the time he drove her to New York.
"Henry came one time, in his Corvette, a small car but he convinced my sister and I to get into this car and go to New York with him," she said.
"I want to first start by thanking all of you for coming out on this beautiful, liquid sunshine day," Glover Thompson said, acknowledging Friday's inclement weather.
"I don't wish to sound redundant, but again, the interest and the enthusiasm, and to know the knowledge of the background and history of these songs, I think will be forever just embedded in our hearts," Glover Thompson said.
"We're so excited about having this parklet honoring Henry Bernard Glover," said Jean Lacefield, president of the Gateway Community Association. She said that this is the start of an initiative.
"The natives of Hot Springs have offered so much to the country, and to Arkansas, and we're going to start highlighting this. So this is one of many that will be honored," Lacefield said.
Hot Springs Mayor Pat McCabe read two proclamations, both declaring May 21 to be Henry Glover Day. The first he read was sent to him from the mayor of Cincinnati.
"We heard that Henry was born here, resided here, his youth was here. Went off and did other things, and in other communities those were recognized as well, and they wanted to be a part of this celebration today. He had his fingerprints in the community of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio, forwarded to us a proclamation that he asked me to read and present to Mrs. Sherry," McCabe said.
"And whereas on the occasion of the centennial anniversary of his birth, the City of Cincinnati acknowledges Henry Glover for all he added to our local music history and the contributions he made to the industry worldwide, now therefore I, John Cranley, mayor of the City of Cincinnati, do hereby proclaim, May 21, 2021, as Henry Glover Day in Cincinnati," McCabe said.
McCabe then read a local proclamation. "City of Hot Springs, being the birthplace, can't be outdone by the City of Cincinnati," he said, noting that he "appreciates (Mayor Cranley's) sentiments and on this occasion participating."
"Therefore, I, Mayor Pat McCabe, mayor of the City of Hot Springs, on the behalf of the board of directors, do hereby proclaim May 21, 2021, as Henry Glover Day in Hot Springs, Ark.," McCabe said.
