Did you know that Malden’s city hall’s council chamber is named the Herbert L. Jackson Council Chambers? And did you know that a switchbox art project on Salem Street has been created to commemorate Herbert L. Jackson? Who was this favorite son of Malden?
The City of Malden achieved national prominence in the election of Herbert L. Jackson as a Massachusetts District Governor of Lions Club and again, he was the first African American elected to such a post in the United States.
Herbert Jackson attended Faulkner Elementary School. He was the first African American to be elected president of the Malden High School graduating class of 1927. He attended Emerson School of Oratory, now Emerson College, Suffolk Law School and Massachusetts School of Art for theater and drama.
As a young man, he pursued a career in the entertainment field and worked as an actor and singer in Boston’s Federal Theater and as a promoter. He served as master of ceremonies in Boston’s jazz clubs. Jackson brought several jazz bands to the Greater Boston area as a promoter.
“Dad was always a people person. He had a very unique ability to remember an individual’s name as well as details about their family and greeted everyone with a warm smile and handshake,” Van Allen said.
In 1935, Jackson married his sweetheart, Doris Pope, of Everett.
“My dad met my mother, Doris, in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s’ Vineyard at her family’s inn called Shearer Cottage when she was about 13 years old. He was selling magazines to the inn’s guests in order to earn money for college,” Van Allen said. “He told my mom he would wait for her and he did. They were married about seven years later when she was 20 and he was 27 years old. My mother was from Everett, but they had never met until his visit to Martha’s Vineyard.”
Doris encouraged Herbert to enter politics in Malden, where he was continually elected to public office by a predominantly white electorate.
Herbert and Doris had three children, Gail Elizabeth, Lee Miriam and Herbert, Jr., all raised in this home. Daughter Lee Van Allen also raised her family there. Jackson family members owned and lived in the home for over 50 years.
Herbert Jackson passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 1978.
Both of Herbert Jackson’s parents were born into slavery in Athens, Georgia. According to daughter, Lee, her paternal grandmother, Araminta Jefferson Jackson, was a purported descendant of President Thomas Jefferson and his slave, Sally Hemings. “Our family never talked about it outside of ourselves because it would have been detrimental to my father’s political endeavors” in those times.
To see photos, a slideshow and learn more about the making of the switchbox art project commemorating Herbert L. Jackson, see our Neighborhood View companion piece by clicking here.
The author is deeply indebted to Herbert Jackson’s daughter, Lee, for her help in telling this story of her father. Lee Van Allen currently owns Shearer Cottage, on Martha’s Vineyard. Photos of this historic inn are exhibited at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC.
Thank you for this wonderful piece of history! Herbert Jackson was a Renaissance Man right in our town! Educated in the arts, law, and textiles! A social Icon! Contributed to our city via Lions and Politics! And a handsome individual to top it off!
He was one of a kind. A very smart, compassionate man. I am so fortunate to have known and proud to say is my daughter Jessica’s Grandfather. Sadly he past away shortly before her birth May 2nd 1979. Jessica did however know her Grandmother Doris who was amazing and her Aunt Gail who sadly past away as well. She remains close to Aunt Lee and her Cousins and their families as well as her Father Herbert Jr. What a wonderful piece of History and there is so much more. What a wonderful Family.
Herb was a good friend. We spent time together with Don Brunelli and traveled to many cities for Lions visitations. This was in part for Herb running for District Gov. He was a super guy. Fran Brown.