Tuesday
March 9, 2010
The Lorraine Hansberry House
Last month, Chicago’s City Council declared the home of Lorraine Hansberry at 6140 S. Rhodes an historic landmark. She authored the acclaimed play “A Raisin In The Sun” – which was inspired in large part by her family’s three-year legal battle for the right to purchase this property. At the time – during the late 1930′s - Woodlawn was a predominantly white neighborhood. The Hansberrys’ purchase of the property culminated in 1940 with a U.S. Supreme Court decision that helped end discriminatory housing covenants in the city.
The home was granted landmark status as part of the city’s recognition of the city’s Black Renaissance Literary Movement of the mid-twentieth century. In addition to The Lorraine Hansberry House, Gwendolyn Brooks home at 7438 S. Evans Ave and The Richard Wright House at 4831 S. Vincennes were also recognized.
Properties given landmark status are protected from significant alterations and are eligible for preservation incentives.
“To Your Success!”
mary!
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