Neighbors, Inc. Collection

Collection

Identifier: 110

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The materials in this collection consist mainly of topical files compiled by Neighbors, Inc. from the late 1950s to the early 1990s. Included in the materials are pamphlets, clippings, correspondence, photographs, brochures, and newsletters relating to neighborhood associations, religious organizations, political organizations, and government reports.

Dates

Creation: 1958-1990

Creator

Neighbors, Inc. (Organization)

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Use

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Biographical / Historical

Neighbors, Inc. was founded in 1958 at 5506 Illinois Avenue, NW in the Manor Park neighborhood after the local citizen association refused to admit Black members. The organization's founding members were an interacial group focused on addressing unfair housing practices in the District.

Neighbor’s, Inc. brought together community members to oppose blockbusting and to advocate for integrated middle-class neighborhoods. The organization established the Housing Information Service to attract white families to neighborhoods the organization advocated for, primarily Carter Barron East, Colonial Village, Manor Park, North Portal Estates, Shepherd Park, and Takoma Park. The organization also provided education on racially discriminatory lending and real estate practices. When new housing anti-discrimination regulations went into effecrt in Janaury 1964, Neighborhs, Inc. documented the ongoing the discrimation in District housing to continue to advocate for fair housing.

Neighbors, Inc. also supported local schools and community programming.