Getty Foundation Expands Black Modernism Preservation Efforts with Five New Grantee Sites
The Getty Foundation's "Conserving Black Modernism" program continues to expand its vital work in recognizing and protecting architectural marvels by African American Modernist designers. With the recent inclusion of five additional sites, the initiative now supports a total of 31 historically significant locations across 17 states and D.C. These efforts, backed by grants, aim to ensure the longevity of these structures through meticulous conservation planning, professional development, and comprehensive storytelling, spanning various building types from academic to commercial.
Getty Foundation Unveils Five New Preservation Grant Recipients for Black Modernism
In a significant move to bolster the preservation of African American architectural heritage, the Getty Foundation's "Conserving Black Modernism" program, an initiative established in 2022 in collaboration with the National Trust's African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, has proudly announced its fourth funding cycle. This latest round welcomes five new culturally pivotal sites, reflecting a diverse spectrum of Modernist design and community impact.
Among the newly recognized sites is the Southwest Corridor in Boston, Massachusetts, a project dating from 1969-1987. Spearheaded by the Black-led architecture firm Stull & Lee, Inc., this initiative transformed land initially designated for a highway into a vibrant 52-acre park and transit route, including the Metro Boston Transit Authority's Ruggles Station. The Getty grant will facilitate an in-depth historical documentation study, utilizing archival research, photography, 3D modeling, and direct engagement with architect M. David Lee to preserve the rich design and cultural history embedded in these community-centric spaces. The Ruggles Transit Station, captured around 1988, stands as a testament to this transformative urban planning.
From East Chicago, Indiana, the St. Mark AME Zion Church, completed in 1973 and designed by Wendell Campbell, a visionary co-founder and first president of the National Organization of Minority Architects, has been selected. This remarkable structure is celebrated for its distinctive geometric design, echoing interlocked praying hands with its triangular roof and ribbon windows. The Getty Foundation's support will fund a conservation management plan, critical for documenting its current state, prioritizing preservation needs, and guiding its future restoration. A recent image captures the church's unique architectural form.
In Nashville, Tennessee, Park-Johnson Hall at Fisk University, a 1954 creation by the enduring Black-owned architecture firm McKissack & McKissack, is now part of the program. This three-story brick and glass edifice within the Fisk University Historic District houses classrooms, a lecture hall, and offices. The grant will enable a comprehensive conservation and management plan, including documentation that contextualizes the building within McKissack & McKissack's broader contributions to the university's architectural landscape. An image by Anna Flood showcases the elegance of Park-Johnson Hall.
Houston, Texas, is home to the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanities Center at Texas Southern University, designed by John Saunders Chase Jr. and completed in 1969. Chase Jr., a trailblazing figure as the first licensed Black architect in Texas and a founding member of the National Organization of Minority Architects, crafted a building with a distinctive cylindrical form and extended wings, symbolizing Dr. King's enduring legacy. The Getty funding will support a historic structures report, detailing the building's historical importance, current condition, and preservation priorities. The Texas Southern University's Martin Luther King Jr. Humanities Center is depicted in an image from the university.
Lastly, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, sees the inclusion of the Central City Plaza, a 1973 development by Alonzo Robinson Jr., Wisconsin's inaugural licensed Black architect. This complex stands as Milwaukee's first Black-owned, designed, and operated shopping center and a rare local example of the New Formalist style. Comprising three distinct buildings with arched porticos and fluted concrete panels, the plaza now partly serves humanitarian purposes under The Salvation Army. Getty funding will aid in a historic structures report and related studies, guiding the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the site to expand its shelter and support services. An image from The National Trust for Historic Preservation' illustrates the Central City Plaza.
These grants are not merely for the physical upkeep of buildings; they are instrumental in fostering community engagement and raising public awareness about the profound impact of Black architects and designers on the Modernist architecture movement, ensuring their legacy is recognized and sustained for future generations.
The Getty Foundation's unwavering commitment to preserving the architectural narratives of African American Modernism is a powerful affirmation of cultural heritage. By extending its support to these five new sites, the program not only ensures the physical conservation of significant structures but also actively participates in a larger, essential dialogue about inclusion and representation in architectural history. This initiative serves as a crucial reminder that our built environment is a mosaic of diverse contributions, and recognizing these contributions enriches our collective understanding of design, community, and identity. It inspires a deeper appreciation for the architects and communities who shaped these spaces, fostering a sense of continuity and pride for future generations.