New I.C. Norcom Highway Marker

PORTSMOUTH
A highway marker honoring I.C. Norcom High School’s namesake was unveiled on Jan. 26. Israel Charles Norcom (1856-1916)was an African-American educator and administrator who served Portsmouth schools for more than 30 years. The event was hosted by the African-American Historical Society of Portsmouth and held in the Norcom auditorium.

The program included Herman Weaver of the African-American Historical Society who led the committee that did the research to obtain the historical marker; Mae Breckenridge-Haywood, president of the African-American Historical Society; Rev. Joseph Fleming, School Board member; U.S. Congressman Bobby Scott; Superintendent Dr. Ely Bracy, III; Norcom Principal Dr. Laguna Foster; Darius Bloodworth, Norcom High senior; and Dr. Colita Fairfax, a board member of the state’s historical marker committee. Mayor John Rowe presented a special proclamation to honor the significance of the occasion.

Those attending the event were led from the audience to the marker site in front of the school for the unveiling.