Until recently, there were no monuments, statues, or streets named for Oscar Dunn, America's Forgotten First Black Lieutenant Governor in New Orleans. In Jul. 2021, City Council honored him by rededicating Washington Artillery Park, the elevated square which overlooks Jackson Square from the Mississippi River Levee, renaming it Oscar Dunn Park for this hero who was born into slavery and became the United States' first black lieutenant governor.
Oscar Dunn was born to a slave mother in 1822. Dunn's mother fell in love with a free man of color and in 1831, Oscar, his little sister, and his mother were purchased for $800 by his new stepfather, James Dunn. In 1832, James Dunn emancipated his family, officially making them free people of color. Oscar adopted his stepfather's first and last names, becoming Oscar James Dunn. Now free, Oscar could attend school, a privilege denied to the state's enslaved population. Dunn's judgement as a councilman that brought about public education for the city and later for the state.
Some historians claim that he was on track to become the first black governor of Louisiana in the 1872 election. From that post, many believed he would be elected to the US Senate and rumors were flying that the President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, was considering Dunn for Vice President.
Dunn wanted to help people who had been emancipated from slavery, so he negotiated work contracts for them.
Those free blacks started organizing, trying to gain the right to vote, and Dunn became one of the leading voices in this fight. While in office, Dunn took up causes like civil rights and the integration of public schools.
Then in 1866, the Mechanics' Institute Riot took place.Former confederates massacre blacks who were organizing to discuss their rights.Political leaders saw this as the potential starting point for another civil war, so they wanted to ease tensions.
"So what they begin to do is replace all of the government officials who had been supporters of the confederacy and replace them with people who they believe to be loyal to the union, and Dunn is among the first two men," explains Dr. Mitchell.
Dunn mysteriously passed away in 1871, and tens of thousands of people attended his funeral. Some say it was the most well-attended funeral in Louisiana history.
There's also a parade that takes place on Sundays with the 2nd Line to celebrate their independence. It's considered a day for family to come fellowship and have a good time read more