Barry Farm Dwellings

Construction of Barry Farm Dwellings began with America’s entry into World War II. As tens of thousands of people moved to Washington for federal government jobs to aid in the war effort, the city experienced a serious housing shortage that was particularly severe for African Americans. To help alleviate the problem, the  Alley Dwelling Authority  built Barry Farm Dwellings, a public housing complex for African Americans, in 1942.The site of Barry Farm Dwellings, from its establishment as a freedmen’s village in 1867, through its development as public housing, tells a story of housing struggles for African Americans for over 150 years. It is a story of the resilience of the residents who, in spite of the effects of racial segregation, municipal neglect, and invasive welfare policies, built a rich and close-knit community.In recent years the Barry Farm Tenants and Allies Association (BFTAA) fought against the proposed elimination of Barry Farm Dwellings and the displacement of its residents. In 2019, as the DC Housing Authority began the demolition of Barry Farm Dwellings to make way for  new development , BFTAA succeeded in having a section designated as a historic district. Although most of Barry Farm Dwellings has been demolished, the surviving buildings provide a physical reminder of the importance of the site, its people and events.Read this story map to learn more about Barry Farm Dwellings' history.

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