A Kentucky Historical Marker for noted architect Samuel Plato will be dedicated on Sunday, February 17th, 2019, 2 pm, in front of Broadway Temple AME Zion, located on Broadway at 13th Street.
Samuel Plato, 1882 - 1957, was an African American architect who had a highly successful career in the early 1900s, a period in American history when African Americans were discriminated against in the architectural profession. Not only was he able to create many distinctive buildings, but he also managed the construction as well, which was unique among architects of the time. Plato was an innovative trailblazer who overcame the many obstacles in his path.
A native of Waugh, Alabama, Plato attended Simmons College in Louisville as well as other academic institutions. He lived in Marion, Indiana from 1902 to 1919. Among his noteworthy projects in Marion are the J. Woodrow Wilson house, Platonian Apartments, and the First Baptist Church. Plato relocated to Louisville in 1920, where he continued his architectural career. Here, he designed the following structures: Broadway Temple AME Zion, James Lee Presbyterian Church, several buildings for Simmons College, and the Virginia Avenue School, among many other residences and buildings.
Plato was the first African American architect who designed a United States Post Office. Overall, he is credited with designing about 38 U S Post Offices. Plato's projects are located in the states of New York, Ohio, Alabama, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Washington D C. Samuel Plata has nine (9) buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Plato's first wife was Nettie Lusby, who he met in Marion. After her death, he married Elnora Davis Lucas. Samuel and Elnora are buried in Louisville Cemetery, which is on Poplar Level Road near Eastern Parkway.
After the marker dedication at 2 pm, there will be a presentation within the Broadway Temple AME on Plato's extraordinary life and career.
Martina Kunnecke, Darnell Farris, Steve Wiser, FAIA will be making a presentation.
