Last week I noticed something different in my new neighborhood. A block from my office, a speaker could be heard in the background. I went to go check it out, and saw people milling about the Central City Concern building, a relief agency that provides temporary housing.
Installed at the intersection of the Broadway and NW Everett, at the old Golden West Hotel, is a new display honoring the contributions of what was once the heart of Portland’s first African American community. From roughly 1890-1920, the area around the Golden West consisted of many African American businesses, including restaurants, barbershops, hotels and more. As someone deeply interested in social history, this came as news to me.
The display, which is artfully done, consists of six panels and a visitor activated loud speaker playing recollections of long-time African American residents. Organized by the Old Town History Project (I can’t seem to find any information about this group — does anyone know anything about them?), the project was funded by the City of Portland Vision Into Action program and Oregon Council for Humanities.
Check out a preview of the panels here, or simply stop by the Golden West building at NW Everett and Broadway. Related is a blog about the project, Golden West Project: Black in Portland History.
Also See
http://GoldenWest.WordPress.com
will bennett Golden West Project
peace
will b.