Preserving our Past to Sustain Our Future: LeDroit Park and the Significance of African American Neighborhoods
by Guest Writer on July 15th, 2009Written by Tamara Wilson
The DC chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects meeting at the National Trust offices.
In May, the DC chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) held its monthly meeting at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In honor of National Preservation Month, the focus of the evening was on African American historic preservation projects including revitalization of the historically Black LeDroit Park neighborhood. LeDroit Park, located in Northwest DC not far from Howard University, was home to many famous artists, musicians, and women’s and civil rights activists such as Mary Church Terrell — whose former house is currently being restored.
Along with the emphasis on protecting her home and places like it, sustainability will be a key issue for the future of these projects. Ronnie McGhee, who is currently a professor at Howard University and a principal at R McGhee & Associates, led an in depth discussion about sustainability and “green” architecture. Both directly tie into historic preservation – - something that gets overlooked in the building industry. Despite having a room filled with professionals and students in the field of architecture, I’m sure I was not the only one amused by the irony of tearing down old buildings in order to make “progress” in African-American communities.
Many residents of predominantly Black neighborhoods debate the pros and cons of historic designation. Some regard preserving homes in formerly segregated districts as a means of honoring the vestiges of something better left forgotten. Others counter that history empowers us, and without it we could not be who we are today. With so many architectural resources still intact or easily salvageable, LeDroit Park provides a connection to important historical figures. African American preservation can be a prototype for sustaining our future while protecting our rich history.
Tamara Wilson is a fourth year architecture major at Howard University.
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