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Iowa City Black History project wins state historical society award
A virtual Black History project featuring buildings that housed Black students at the University of Iowa was one of 11 projects in seven communities honored with Iowa's highest awards for historic preservation during this year’s Preserve Iowa Summit. The annual conference is presented by the State Historic Preservation Office, which is part of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.
“Honoring Black History in Iowa City“ won the special project award. The project builds on two National Register of Historic Places properties associated with Black history in Iowa known as the Iowa Federation Home and the Tate Arms. During the early 20th century, both of these buildings housed Black students at the University of Iowa at a time when they were barred from dormitories and had limited housing options due to racial discrimination.
More information about the awards is available at iowaculture.gov and preservationiowa.org.
The Tate Arms home, 914 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, is seen Feb. 14. Elizabeth and Junious Tate owned the home and rented out rooms to black students who were not allowed to live on campus. The home is now listed on the National Register for their role in housing African American students when options were scarce. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
The Iowa Federation Home is seen Feb. 14 on Iowa Avenue in Iowa City. In 1919, a group of Black women students worked with the Iowa Federation of Colored Women's Clubs to purchase the home and use it as an off-campus dorm. The home is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its role in housing African American students. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
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