In commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day next Monday, Old Fort Niagara is shining a light on the hidden role African-Americans have played at the landmark.

Robert Emerson, the fort’s executive director, has recently discovered new history highlighting the role of African-Americans there.

“Their presence has not been well-known at all until all of this information has come to light,” Emerson said. “Up until now, it wasn't documented very well."

While little documentation exists, he came across old newspaper articles about the 24th Infantry Regiment and began to dig.

"A unit of African-American soldiers were here at the fort and this is a new discovery and we didn't know they were posted here,” Emerson said. “They were an accomplished regiment. They charged up San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War, so they were received as heroes in Buffalo when they arrived here."

Proof of other notable figures is around the fort, such as a mural painted by Hubert Crawford, an established artist in his day.

He's just one of the stories people can learn about on Monday. Emerson will be sharing this newly discovered history for the first time in a formal tour.  

"But the story hasn't been told before and it deserves to be told and this is a great occasion to do that."

The tour will leave from the Visitor Center at 2 p.m. and will end at 3:30 p.m. on January 20.