The Department of Neighborhoods Historic Preservation Program is documenting landmarks, stories, and the heritage of Black Seattle, and we need your help to get it right! We know that our records are incomplete, and there are gaps in how Black history has been preserved in Seattle. Over the years, the… [ Keep reading ]
We recently connected with local writer, director, and producer Chris Hopper to learn about how a Neighborhood Matching Fund grant has helped support the Black and Tan Project and bring community theater to more people in Seattle. Chris has written and directed multiple plays centering Black history, culture, and experience… [ Keep reading ]
Serving more than 3000 residents, Eritrean Association of Greater Seattle (EAGS) creates a space that fosters connections, supports growth, and preserves the rich heritage of the local East African community. The organization first received a Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) grant in 2000 to support the construction of a community center…. [ Keep reading ]
Churches play a critical role in the story of Black Seattle. They are places of worship, community gathering spaces, organizing hubs, and cultural anchors through decades of change and displacement. In recognition of this significant history, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods launched Black Sanctuaries in Motion, a multimedia storytelling project… [ Keep reading ]
The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ Landmarks Preservation Board (LPB) voted unanimously to approve the designation of The People’s Wall at 1919 E Spruce Street (formerly 172 20th Avenue) as a Seattle Landmark. The timely 11:0:0 vote took place at the May 20, 2026 LPB meeting. For decades, the People’s Wall has… [ Keep reading ]
This February, City Hall felt a little different. The vibe was fuller. Warmer. Jubilant. In honor of Black History Month, staff from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle Public Utilities, and Seattle City Light came together to host Rooted, Resilient, and Rising; a celebration of Black leadership, artistry, and community in Seattle. The gathering honored history. And the… [ Keep reading ]
By Tracey Thompson The High Point Housing Projects were built in 1942 to accommodate military personnel and workers who migrated from the South in search of better opportunities. Over time, High Point became one of Seattle’s quiet strongholds of Black life, shaped by families who arrived during the Great Migration… [ Keep reading ]
Often, when people hear the phrase historic preservation, the first thing they think of is saving old buildings. And while, yes, that is sometimes the outcome, it is certainly not that simple. Historic Landmarks are rooted in community. They are tangible connections to the people and events that have shaped… [ Keep reading ]
“Preserving these spaces isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about ensuring future generations know who came before them, the battles fought, and the resilience that built this city. Seattle thrives when it honors its past while building its future.” The landscape of the Central Area has changed drastically over the past 50… [ Keep reading ]
As part of our “Stories in Place” series, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods collaborated with community member Tracey Thompson to celebrate a group of women known as the High Point Mommas. Tracey, whose mother was part of the Mommas, grew up in High Point in the 1960s and 1970s. She… [ Keep reading ]
