An Unsung Hero of Civil Rights: The Legacy of W. Miller Barbour

The Hershey History Center honors civil rights pioneer W. Miller Barbour in a special presentation by Eric Schubert

Before the national civil rights movement gained momentum under the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a local figure was already laying the groundwork for racial and economic justice. On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, the Hershey History Center will host “An Unsung Hero of Civil Rights: The Legacy of W. Miller Barbour,” a program dedicated to uncovering the remarkable life of a local resident turned national human rights advocate. The program highlights Barbour’s deep roots in the Hershey, Hummelstown, Middletown, and Elizabethtown communities. Despite his significant contributions, Barbour remains a lesser-known figure whose story bridges the gap between local heritage and the national struggle for equality. W. Miller Barbour was a trailblazer from his youth, becoming one of the first African American graduates of Elizabethtown College and the first African American college football player in Lancaster County. His academic and athletic success paved the way for a career dedicated to social reform. After earning a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania during World War II, Barbour pioneered programs to address gang violence before rising to leadership roles within the National Urban League in Denver and Los Angeles.

Though Barbour passed away in 1957, his advocacy for economic equity and human rights remains relevant today. This program serves as a long-overdue recognition of a champion who grew up in our backyard and went on to change the cultural landscape of the country. If you can’t make it in person, register to livestream on the website.