Ceremony scheduled for launch of African-American history research project
PROVIDENCE – A two-year research project that will document the history of African-Americans in the College Hill District launches May 14.
A kickoff ceremony is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Old State House at 150 Benefit St.
The project, led by the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society and R.I. Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, is funded with a $25,000 National Park Service grant.
At the event, society and commission representatives will introduce the project and project team and invite the audience to identify historic buildings associated with the African-American community in College Hill. Major historical themes will be discussed.
The society has conducted numerous interviews about the impact of local urban renewal and redevelopment projects on the African-American community in the 1950s and 1960s. Further research is expected to uncover additional information to present a more robust and inclusive history.
More than 1,700 buildings and structures are in the College Hill Historic District, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971.
The district was expanded in 1976, and is now bounded on the north by Olney Street, east by Hope Street, south by George M. Cohan Boulevard, and west by the Mosshassuck and Providence rivers.
The final version of the research project will be a revised National Register nomination.
Participants are invited to RSVP by contacting Joseph Gaccione at 401-421-0606 or joseph@rickmangroup.com.
http://www.pbn.com/Ceremony-scheduled-for-launch-of-African-American-history-research-project,105516?