NORTH BRENTWOOD, Md. – North Brentwood, a town founded with an all-Black population in 1924, just celebrated the town’s 100th anniversary on June 12.
North Brentwood was originally built on plots of land that Black veterans of the Civil War purchased from their commander, Captain Wallace Bartlett, starting in 1887. The town grew over the following decades and in April of 1924, a bill passed the Maryland General Assembly to incorporate the town. When founded, North Brentwood had no white voters, and 100 years later, the small town of 600 remains majority-Black.
“We celebrate every year because we have a deep, rich history here: first with African Americans who settled here, and what we have today is a livable community,” said North Brentwood Mayor Petrella Robinson in an interview with WTOP. “So we celebrate our ancestors. We celebrate 100 years of incorporation.” Robinson has served as Mayor since 2007.
North Brentwood was an entertainment destination during the era of segregation, as Sis’ Tavern often hosted jazz musicians who visited the town after leaving DC. Duke Ellington and Pearl Bailey were two musicians who made stops in North Brentwood.
Unfortunately, longtime Mayor Lillian Kelsey Beverly passed away at the age of 95 on the morning of June 12. On June 28, the First Baptist Church of North Brentwood will host a 10 AM viewing and an 11 AM service for the community to honor
“During her tenure, Mayor Beverly championed numerous initiatives to preserve the history and promote the beauty of this historically Black enclave nestled between two major cities,” read a eulogy posted on the City’s website by Councilmember Evan Dame. “She was a friend, mentor, and confidant to many of us. Her unwavering tenacity and invaluable wisdom touched the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her.”
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