Dr. Kenneth A. Salaam (b. March 23, 1949), also known as "Freedom Smitty, " was raised in North Philadelphia and was a member of the NAACP Youth Council under the leadership of Cecil B. Moore. As a teenager, Dr. Salaam participated in the Columbia...
Richard Watson (March 24, 1946- ), a North Carolina transplant, spent his formative years in North Philadelphia just a few blocks south of Columbia Avenue. Mr. Watson recalls his experiences living in the city at a time when neighborhood gangs were...
A before picture from Octavia Hill Association's rehabilitation of East Rittenhouse Street. The tract of land had no running water other than one hydrant for seven families.
Buildings on Rittenhouse Street that were built by the Octavia Hill Association. The houses shown contain running water, and separate toilets for every family, plenty of air and light. "After" picture in a series of "Before" and "after" pictures.
Buildings built in the Germantown Improvement act by the Octavia Hill Association to replace dilapidated and poor living conditions. The new housing includes separate toilets for seven families and running water.
Augustus Baxter (b. December 25, 1928) worked as a "gang worker" in North Philadelphia counseling at-risk youth during the 1950s and 1960s. Mr. Baxter discusses living conditions in North Philadelphia before the 1964 Columbia Avenue riots and the...
Bernyce Mills DeVaughn (January 10, 1948- ) grew up in Norfolk, Virginia before moving to Philadelphia in the 1960s. Ms. DeVaughn participated in the NAACP protests at Girard College between 1965 and 1968 and shares her memories of the...
