A piece of Bucks County history will be honored as Yardley pays tribute to one of its past leaders.
On Sept. 1, borough council members voted unanimously in favor of naming the pavilion in Buttonwood Park after former Yardley Mayor Edward E. Robinson, who broke barriers when he became the first Black mayor in Pennsylvania when he was elected in 1977.
The initiative to create the permanent tribute was presented by Shirley Lee Corsey, executive director of Gather Place, who wanted to preserve Robinson’s legacy and share a piece of the town’s history with all who visited the pavilion, which will soon be called the “Edward E. Robinson Memorial Pavilion in Buttonwood Park.”
“This is far more than the naming of a pavilion—it is the preservation of an important
chapter of Yardley Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and American history. Mayor Robinson’s life exemplified leadership, dignity, service, and an unwavering devotion to his hometown. This permanent tribute will ensure that his extraordinary legacy continues to educate and inspire future generations," Corsey said.
Dedicating his life to public service, Robinson held many roles in the political and nonprofit sectors.
According to his obituary, he served on the Democratic Committee, Yardley Borough Council, Yardley Community Action Commission, Bucks County N.A.A.C.P., Mayors Association of Pennsylvania, National Black Mayors Association, and was staff sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II.
His role as mayor lasted 12 years from 1977–1989, and he was honored with the “Pennsylvania House of Representatives for Outstanding work in Local Government and Trailblazers Award” by the governor of Pennsylvania for his unique accomplishments as a local government official.
With the pavilion naming approved, Corsey said the next step is a community fundraising campaign to design, create, and install permanent memorial signage along with an interpretive educational stand that help visitors learn more about Robinson and provide a timeline history on all of Yardley’s mayors dating back to 1895.
She said their goal is to have the sign and interpretive stand installed by spring of 2027 — 50 years after Robinson first took office.
“If we don’t tell these stories, people will forget. And what better place to learn history than out in the public in a very honest and open way,” Corsey said.
“I hope it will inspire people to stop, learn and listen to someone who may not look like you. And ask, ‘what do we all have in common?’ In Yardley, the common denominator is our love of community and that’s what I hope this pavilion represents.”
Reporter Michele Haddon covers local news, small business, food and drink, economic revitalization, art and culture for The Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times at PhillyBurbs.com. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Yardley park pavilion to be named in honor of PA's first Black mayor
