Mayor of Ponchatoula signs application for Historical Marker for Rev. Arthur Tasker

Left to right
Eddie Ponds, Councilwoman Batiste, James M. Perrin
Antoinette Harrell, Mayor Robert F. Zambia

I am pleased to announce that today was a memorable day for the committee whose mission is to place a historical marker in honor of Rev. Arthur Tasker, Ponchatoula's first black mayor, local civic leader, educator, and religious leader. Tasker was born into slavery between the years of 1831 and 1835 in Maryland or Virginia. In Ponchatoula, he established the first Black school and church. At the request of Ponchatoula City Councilwoman Roslind McKay Batiste, representatives of Untold History Foundation, LLC, Dr. Antoinette Harrell, and Eddie Ponds of The Drum Newspaper appeared before the council asking the mayor and council for their support in February of 2023. A few years ago, Harrell suggested to Ponds that they put a historical marker in honor of this notable man who refused to let slavery hinder his accomplishments to build a better life for Black people in Ponchatoula. 

James M. Perrin, author of Ponchatoula, "A Community History, 2020," joins the committee. The application was accompanied by copies of the minutes and newspaper articles provided by Perrin. . Mayor Robert F. Zabbia signed off on the Louisiana Historical Marker application today after the committee worked for several weeks on it. Tasker is buried in Kiwanis Park in Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Rev. Arthur Tasker