City seeks national recognition for sites central to local African American heritage

After a year's worth of work and a 200-page in-depth study, the City of Minneapolis is ready to nominate three sites at the historical heart of Minneapolis' African American community to the National Register of Historic Places - continuing the City's efforts to preserve and honor the legacy and significance of important places and people in the City of Lakes.

The sites are:

• The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR), the oldest Black-owned newspaper in Minnesota and one of the longest continuously operated family-owned Black newspapers in the United States.
• The Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, a 100-year-old center in North Minneapolis focused on community programs and services that empower residents, and
• The former home of Harry Davis, Sr., a beloved community leader, civil rights advocate and the first Black candidate for mayor in Minneapolis.

"These sites don't just tell the story of Minneapolis-they are the story," said Mayor Jacob Frey. "From the pages of the Spokesman-Recorder to the halls of Phyllis Wheatley, to the home of Harry Davis Sr.-these places helped shape our city. Preserving their legacies is long overdue, and I'm grateful to the community members who've worked so hard to get us to this moment."

A spot on the register means the space is recognized for its important history. It can open opportunities for national and state historic preservation grants and tax credits. As a next step, the City will hire third-party consultants to officially nominate the three places, including doing the research, interviewing knowledge keepers and writing. In addition, one of the consultants will draft a Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF), which sets the framework for how to complete additional nominations in the future. Funding for this multi-year project comes from an Underrepresented Communities Grant from the National Park Service and a separate grant from the Minnesota Historical Society's Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

"We're honored to be considered for this historic acknowledgement that protects the legacy that Mr. Davis Sr. left behind so many years ago," said Keith Dorsett and Melissa Kadlec, current homeowners. "This house - and Mr. Davis - will have a cemented place in Minneapolis history, and we are proud to recognize that."

"I'm honored that the paper my grandfather built is being considered for national recognition," said Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO and publisher of the MSR. "This would shine a long overdue light on the decades of work the MSR has done to uplift African American voices and secure its place on the national stage."

"Phyllis Wheatley Community Center is honored to be nominated for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. For nearly 101 years, our building has stood as a gathering place and source of strength for North Minneapolis-nurturing children, supporting families and empowering generations of leaders," said Valerie Stevenson, the center's interim executive director. "This nomination is not only a recognition of our rich history, but also a testament to the resilience and impact of the community we serve. It affirms the importance of preserving our cultural and historical legacy, while ensuring that future generations can continue to learn, grow, and thrive within these walls. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to advancing our mission and carrying forward the spirit of service that has defined Phyllis Wheatley Community Center since 1924."

A year-long effort

The nominations are part of a year-long effort by 15 city-appointed community members of the African American Heritage Work Group to advise on the 223-page African American Historic and Cultural Context Study. The report, drafted by 106 Group, highlights African American history from around 1800 to the present and recognizes important and influential people, places and events in the City's history. The project goal is to lift up the voices, struggles and triumphs of African Americans who are integral to the City's story.

"There are so many remarkable stories in this study," said Erin Que, senior city planner. "These stories talk about finding and making a home here in Minneapolis, discuss faith traditions and important community resources. They also uplift the ways African Americans have added vibrancy to the City and consistently fought for civil rights."

Visit the City website to read more about the African American Historic and Cultural Context Study or to sign up for email updates on the project. View the LIMS file from this week's City's Business, Housing and Zoning Committee meeting on the City website.