Courtesy Kiasha Haynes-Henry
Curtis Henry Sr. has been dealing with pipes and poop for 57 years. The Bloomington-Normal plumbers union is celebrating its longest standing member. Over his career, Henry has seen the trade and the community evolve.
Plumbing was in the family for Henry. His uncle, Louis Garrison, was the first Black plumber in Bloomington. Henry affectionately calls him Old Man Garrison. He was well-known around town and helped bring many other Black men into the profession.
Curtis Henry Sr. moved to Bloomington from Louisiana in the 1940s.
Credit Courtesy Kiasha Haynes-Henry
Henry was born and raised in Louisiana. But his uncle thought he d lead a better life here.