The Importance of Landmarks

As I reflect upon the past few months and upon my own memories, I contemplate how we rewrite our histories and recall those which fit our memories. In February, for example, we celebrate Black History Month but it was not originally Black History month. Initially, it was Negro History Week, later African-American History Month, and now being more inclusive it is Black History Month.

I am not sure who is writing this narrative, nor does it really matter. What I am struck by, though, is that landmarks help us to recall our authentic history and that is why it is important we preserve them. Recognizing the value history plays in our lives, four historic churches in the historic Bronzeville community (Quinn Chapel, AME, St. Thomas Episcopal, St. Elizabeth, and Apostolic Faith) knew how important it was to save the former Wabash YMCA, the original birthplace of Negro History Week, now known as Black History Week.

This building stood as an important gathering place for the community. A place where important issues could be discussed, where stockyard workers gathered during the 1919 Race Riots to collect their payroll checks, a place for youth to play and discover new artistic passions, and a place for adults to learn important skills sets that enabled them to secure employment. This building still stands, renovated and serving some of the same original purposes.

A small group helped to convince the City to designate the Bronzeville area as historic. I didn’t realize it would become an important icon for this Black community. Thank God for the eight buildings that were saved and landmarked so we can forever remember our heritage and our history.

Sincerely,

Patricia Abrams
Executive Director