Did you know that Barry Farm Dwellings began as a settlement for newly freed African Americans? Right here before you stands a place steeped in history. It started in 1867 as the first African-American homeownership community in Washington DC. This was a remarkable achievement for newly freed slaves. The original site spanned 375 acres.
Imagine a time when this land bustled with life. Families built homes. They cultivated gardens. They created a thriving community. Barry Farm became more than just homes. It was a center of Black activism. It was a place where leaders like Charles R Douglass Frederick Douglass’s son lived. Solomon Brown a delegate and Smithsonian employee resided here. So did John Moss an attorney and justice of the peace. Georgiana Simpson one of the first Black women to earn a doctorate was also a resident.
Later in 1941 the government took 34 acres. They built Barry Farm Dwellings a public housing project. This was the largest subsidized housing complex for African Americans at the time. It had 442 units. The Dwellings were built in 1943. They featured a unique parallel street layout typical of WWII-era low-rent housing. Each unit had two to six bedrooms. Shared spaces were abundant.
The residents of Barry Farm Dwellings played a crucial role in the Civil Rights movement. Their children were involved in Bolling v Sharpe the landmark case that desegregated DC public schools. Residents raised money for legal fees. They organized raffles and fundraising dinners. Their efforts were instrumental in securing victory in the Supreme Court. Their success echoed through the community.
By the 1960s the Dwellings were in disrepair. Years of neglect led to damage. Cockroaches rats leaky faucets and crumbling ceilings were commonplace. Residents responded by uniting. They formed the Band of Angels. This was a community activist group. The Angels secured a $1.5 million renovation. They became the foundation for the Citywide Welfare Alliance. This organization had 1300 members by 1970. Etta Mae Horn a resident and activist was key. She championed welfare rights women’s rights and economic equality. Her work helped shift the civil rights movement’s focus towards economic concerns.
Barry Farm also fostered youth activism. The Rebels With a Cause a youth group agitated for change. They protested discriminatory policing and police brutality. Stokely Carmichael and Eartha Kitt visited. They supported the Rebels’ cause. The Rebels gained national attention for their protests and community services. They provided daycares cultural activities and job assistance. They served as a model for youth activism.
The legacy of Barry Farm Dwellings extends to its role in DC’s go-go music scene. The Junkyard Band a group of neighborhood children and teens played music using everyday objects. Their ingenuity and music reflected their community. They became popular across the city. They played numerous shows throughout DC. They captured the spirit of homegrown talent.
Most of the Barry Farm Dwellings were demolished by 2018. The remaining structures however still represent a vibrant history. They serve as a reminder of the community’s resilience activism and cultural contributions. They remain under the D C Housing Authority. The legacy of Barry Farm Dwellings lives on. It inspires us today.