Telling the story of racial segregation on the north side of Chicago, the Winthrop Project captures the vibrancy and resilience of black life on one block - the 4600 block of Winthrop Avenue. In the face of an informal restrictive covenant, the residents created a tight-knit, caring community - the Winthrop Avenue Family. These are their stories.

Working with Anna Romina Guevarra and Gayatri Reddy, and based on interviews conducted by them, artist-interns produced original artwork to capture some of the memories, celebration, moments of joy, humor, and connection between members of the Winthrop Family. This is a growing, living project so please check back to see new artwork!

Drawing on storytelling sessions with the Winthrop Family that capture memories, stories, and the collective historicizing of life and love, as well as intentional practices of community building, we are curating a series of podcasts that capture the texture of resilient life on the 4600 block of Winthrop Avenue, the one block black residents were restricted to.

“In this here place, we flesh; flesh that weeps, laughs; flesh that dances on bare feet in grass. Love it. Love it hard” wrote Toni Morrison in her 1987 masterpiece, Beloved. Capturing these sentiments, this flesh that weeps and laughs, dances and bears witness, are photographs shared by members of the Winthrop Family. Please add to this collective archive!

Inspired by conversations with members of the Winthrop Family and research in the Dis/Placements Project archive, the artist Tia Etu conceptualized and painted this mural, titled “Block Party,” in the Winthrop Historical Garden.