The City of Lawrenceville has named this year's Heritage Trail Medallion recipients, honoring two key contributors to the city's rich history. As reported on the city's official website, the honorees are The Loving Aid Society and Grover Herman Tanner, both unanimously approved by the Lawrenceville City Council.
Founded by formerly enslaved individuals Laura Freeman and Bob Craig in 1888, The Loving Aid Society provided burial insurance and mutual aid to African American families at a time when options were scant. According to the city's announcement, the Society also ensured dignified burials, operating on Church Street before relocating to Neal Boulevard. Present at the City Council meeting, family members and representatives commemorated the Society's historical significance, including its annual "June Turn Out," a longstanding community event.
Service to the Lawrenceville community is embodied by the life of Grover Herman Tanner, as detailed by the city's website. Tanner, born in 1907 and passing away in 1983, was remembered for his integral role in the city's educational, business, and civic landscape. He served on the City Council and as Chairman of the Board of Education, where he was instrumental in constructing a fireproof school after the original Lawrenceville High School was destroyed in a fire in 1944. Tanner's legacy extended to his business endeavors at Tanner Hardware Co. and his community engagement through the Kiwanis Club and other organizations.
The Lawrenceville City Council's approval reflects a communal recognition, with every medallion serving as a reminder of the city's collective history, made of many voices contributing to the community as it stands today. Such sentiments were echoed by both the Commission Chair Dr. Michelle Bachelor Robinson—who, leading the selection process, emphasized the importance of preserving often overlooked stories— and Mayor David Still, who hailed the honorees as paragons of the city's guiding values of service, vision, and perseverance.
Slated for a formal unveiling in spring 2026, the medallions will be placed along the Lawrenceville Heritage Trail. Established by a 2024 City Council ordinance, the Heritage Trail Medallion Commission carries on the tradition of celebrating figures and organizations vital to the city’s history. This year, the commission reviewed 18 nominations submitted by community members. The panel comprises Dr. Michelle Bachelor Robinson (Chair), Dawnya Fischer Lindsey (Vice Chair), and commissioners Moses Abney, Theresa Bailey, Elliott Brack, Gloria James, and Nancy Price.
