VOICES FROM THE PAST STILL SPEAKING TO US TODAY
This reflective essay is one in a series of seven essays that walk readers through the experiences of seven prominent African Americans.
Recent Essays
Open Occupancy and the “Racial Problem”
Freeway planners and elected officials knew it would be difficult for Black people displaced by the freeway to find other places to live. The “Racial…
Racial Dividing Line
“It now seems apparent that public officials and policy makers, especially at the state and local level, used expressway construction to destroy low-income and especially…
Events
Upcoming Events
A Public History of 35W: New Research
Wednesday, November 18, 6:30-7:45PM CDT
“The opportunity to compete for housing of one’s free choice is crucial both to equality and to freedom, for no one can be said to be truly free unless he is free to choose where he will live.” – Carl L. Wecheke, President of Minnesota’s NAACP Branch, 1959.
Join A Public History of 35W in a conversation about the history of organizing and activism to pass “Open Housing” laws in Minnesota and the Twin Cities. These laws aimed at preventing discrimination on the basis of race, religion, and ethnicity. We’ll examine the real estate practices and personal prejudices that made open housing laws a necessity. Come to hear the story of one Black family’s fight to move to Edina after being displaced by 35W in South Minneapolis.
This program is hosted by Hennepin History Museum and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
How to attend:
On a computer: Go online to access the meeting by visiting http://bit.ly/35WNewResearch at 6:30 p.m. Password: PublicHistory35W
On a phone: Please dial: +1-408-418-9388 Access code: 146 385
Facebook event link here.
An exhibition based on oral history interviews, archival research, and community input will be on display in January of 2021.
Past Events
Housing Discrimination & the “Freeway Families”
Saturday, October 24, 3:00-4:25PM CDT
When South Minneapolis residents lost their homes to 35W, where could they go?
Join Heidi Adelsman, Jacob Noble, and Denise Pike of A Public History of 35W as they explore themes around housing discrimination and displacement. These local historians will touch on several topics including discriminatory housing practices and policies, the displacement of families for the construction of I-35W in South Minneapolis, and a presentation on the Tilsenbilt Homes, believed to be one of the first federally-supported residential housing developments in the United States that was open to homebuyers of all races. The panel presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.
Videos of the event can be found listed below, or on the Hennepin History Museum YouTube page.
Part I: An Overview of Systemic Racial Housing Discrimination
Part II: Housing and School Desegregation in Minneapolis
Part III: Freeway Family Displacement (Coming Soon)
A Public History of 35W: Virtual Story Share
Wednesday, August 19, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
This interactive virtual event will share preliminary histories about opposition to the freeway, its impacts on communities of color, and concerns over equity and environmental justice. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and express interest in sharing their own perspectives and stories. This event is part of an ongoing partnership with Hennepin History Museum, the Heritage Studies and Public History Program at the University of Minnesota, and Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Event video up now on the Hennepin History Museum’s Youtube page.
Two Virtual Events: A Public History of 35W
Wednesday, May 27, 1-2:30 p.m.: Virtual Art Workshop
Thursday, May 28, 6-7:30 p.m.: Virtual Story Share (Event cancelled out of respect for the community mourning for George Floyd.) Check back for more information about event rescheduling.
Please join us for two free events to continue our exploration into the history of I-35W in South Minneapolis. On May 27, researchers from the University of Minnesota will invite participants of all ages and skill levels to develop a creative response to a presentation on the history of this freeway. On May 28, they will present preliminary research on opposition to the freeway, its impacts on communities of color, and concerns over equity and environmental justice. They will invite participants to share their own perspectives and stories. Both events will be held in partnership with the U of M and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Please watch the Hennepin History Museum’s Facebook Event page for more information.
A Public History of 35W
October 10, 2019
Hosted by Minnesota Department of Transportation and Hennepin History Museum.
Historical Walking Tour of I-35W, South Minneapolis
September 7, 2019
Hosted by Minnesota Department of Transportation and Hennepin History Museum
Share your Story
Support for this project was provided by the Fesler-Lampert Chair in Urban and Regional Affairs; University of Minnesota Heritage Studies and Public History program; Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; UMN Digital Arts, Sciences, & Humanities (DASH); and the UMN Provost's Imagine Chair for Arts, Design & Humanities.
