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Chicago, IL. ---- Determined to preserve the rich legacy of Chicago’s southside, a community coalition has joined Congressman Bobby L. Rush in an effort to designate the Black Metropolis District, including the historic Bronzeville area, of Chicago as a National Heritage Area.
According to the National Park Service, “a national heritage area is a place designated by the United States Congress where natural, cultural, historic and recreational resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally-distinctive landscape arising from patterns of human activity shaped by geography.”
On February 29, the last day of Black History Month, Rep. Rush introduced a bill to the House of Representatives, titled HR 5505: Black Metropolis District National Heritage Area Study Act, which calls for the federal government to “conduct a study to determine the feasibility” of designating the study area a national heritage area.
Black Metropolis District “has a cohesive and distinctive history that is worthy of national heritage designation,” said Rep. Rush. “This is more than nostalgia; by highlighting the past, we can inspire the future.”
Supporters of HR 5505 believe the effort will help revitalize the area culturally and economically, without compromising its history, which includes great accomplishments in culture, business, sports, education, health care, labor, politics, religion and social justice.
“The designation will support the ongoing development of Bronzeville as an international heritage tourism destination,” said Paula Robinson, President of Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Project.
The designated study area roughly stretches between Lake Michigan at some points and the Dan Ryan, from 18th street to 71st Street. The area includes the neighborhoods of Oakland, Kenwood, Washington Park, Grand Boulevard, Douglass, and Woodlawn.
The term Bronzeville was created by a then Chicago Bee newspaper editor. The First Mayor of Bronzeville was selected in 1934. The editor left the Bee and went to work for the Chicago Defender, where the term was made popular. Later, the heart of the study area was unofficially dubbed “Black Metropolis” following a landmark 1945 sociological study with that same title.
“The Illinois Institute of Technology is proud to be a long time member of the Bronzeville community and we are excited about the opportunities to help preserve the wonderful legacy of this area,” said David Baker, vice president of external affairs for IIT. “We plan to work with the Congressman to support the bill in Washington and to help with the creation of the National Heritage Area once it is designated.”
The Black Metropolis-Bronzeville District currently has nine structures designated as Chicago landmarks: Overton Hygienic Building, Chicago Bee Building, Wabash Avenue YMCA, Chicago Defender Building, Unity Hall, Eighth Regiment Armory, Sunset Cafe, Victory Monument, and Supreme Life Building.
“This is great, not just for the southside of Chicago, but it’s great for the entire city of Chicago and state of Illinois,” said Jan Kostner, Deputy Director, Illinois Bureau of Tourism, “Visitors from all over the world will have an opportunity to see firsthand the tremendous accomplishments of African Americans in business, politics, education, and so many other areas.”
Once the study is complete, Rep. Rush will draft another bill to actually designate the Black Metropolis-Bronzeville District a national heritage area.
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