A Message from the People of Whitesboro: Whitesboro Historic Preservation Project

In 1901, the Colored American Equitable Industrial Association, led by Former U.S. Congressman George H. White (1897-1901) and other notable investors: Reverend J.W. Fishburn​, Booker T. Washington, Samuel L. Vick, Aletha Gibbs, Wiley H. Bates, Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Ernest Cherry, Honorable William H. Hunt, and many unnamed others purchased tracts of land in Middle Township, Cape May County, New Jersey, and founded the community of Whitesboro. Ironically, these lands had once been the property of Aaron Leaming Jr., and Thomas Leaming Jr., the largest slave owners in Cape May County’s history. Whitesboro was intentionally created to be a safe haven and self-reliant community for and by African-Americans.

On January 25th, 1927, Whitesboro’s community leaders convened a meeting to discuss incorporating Whitesboro as a borough under New Jersey State Law. By a vote of 86-5, Whitesboro’s residents decided then against incorporation.

To preserve Whitesboro’s legacy and future, the Whitesboro Historic Preservation Project seeks to unify the community of Whitesboro in the pursuit of self-reliance, self-governance, and more.

Learn More: preservewhitesboro.org