Ona Judge Staines Mural Unveiling

Join us immediately after the unveiling for a reception to meet author Erica Armstrong Dunbar & mural artist Manny Ramirez, as we honor a woman whose bravery still echoes today.

In 2023, the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire unveiled plans to paint a mural of Ona Marie Judge Staines on its Portsmouth, New Hampshire, headquarters. As part of a local History Through Art initiative, the Black Heritage Trail will honor Staines, who bravely escaped the bonds of slavery in the late 1700s. While not yet a household name, Staines’ story is one of courage and self-determination that historians are working to share with the public.

The Trail is working with artist Manuel Ramirez of Positive Street Art to create the mural. Below see the process that we came to decide on the mural's imagery, how Ona Judge would be portrayed, and how we would ensure the artwork reflected historical reality of the time period in which Ona Judge lived.

Artist Manuel Ramirez will be available for questions during the reception, as will Erica Armstrong Dunbar, award-winning author of "Never Caught: the Ona Judge Story".

The mural will be unveiled on Saturday, May 23, 2026. The event will feature guest speakers and a reception with refreshments provided.