NPS Form 10-900-b (Rev. 01/2009) OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 5/31/2012) United States Department of the Interior National Register Approved National Park Service May 30, 2012 National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation Form This form is used for documenting property groups relating to one or several historic contexts. See instructions in National Register Bulletin How to Complete the Multiple Property Documentation Form (formerly 16B). Complete each item by entering the requested information. For additional space, use continuation sheets (Form 10-900-a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer to complete all items x New Submission Amended Submission A. Name of Multiple Property Listing African American Resources in Manhattan, Kansas B. Associated Historic Contexts (Name each associated historic context, identifying theme, geographical area, and chronological period for each.) I. “On to Canaan” – Manhattan’s Early African American Community: 1865-1903 II. “We were all like family.” – African Americans in Manhattan’s South Side Neighborhood: 1903-1954 III. “Maybe someday . .” – Change comes slowly to Manhattan: 1954-1972 C. Form Prepared by name/title Deon Wolfenbarger (with research by Barbara Hammond & Kerry Davis) organization Three Gables Preservation date September 21, 2011 street & number 320 Pine Glade Road telephone 303-258-3136 city or town Nederland state CO zip code 80466 e-mail D. Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this documentation form meets the National Register documentation standards and sets forth requirements for the listing of related properties consistent with the National Register criteria. This submission meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR 60 and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation. (_________ See continuation sheet for additional comments.) SEE FILE Signature and title of certifying official Date Kansas State Historic Preservation Office State or Federal Agency or Tribal government I hereby certify that this multiple property documentation form has been approved by the National Register as a basis for evaluating related properties for listing in the National Register. Signature of the Keeper Date of Action NPS Form 10-900-b (Rev. 01/2009) OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 5/31/2012) African American Resources in Manhattan, Kansas Kansas Name of Multiple Property Listing State Table of Contents for Written Narrative Provide the following information on continuation sheets. Cite the letter and title before each section of the narrative. Assign page numbers according to the instructions for continuation sheets in National Register Bulletin How to Complete the Multiple Property Documentation Form (formerly 16B). Fill in page numbers for each section in the space below. Page Numbers E. Statement of Historic Contexts 1 (if more than one historic context is documented, present them in sequential order.) I. ““On to Canaan” – Manhattan’s Early African American Community: 1865-1903 4 II. “We were all like family.” – African Americans in Manhattan’s South Side Neighborhood: 1903-1954 18 III. “Maybe someday . .” – Change comes slowly to Manhattan: 1954-1972 33 F. Associated Property Types 45 (Provide description, significance, and registration requirements.) I. African American Residences 48 II. African American Community Institutions 50 G. Geographical Data 52 H. Summary of Identification and Evaluation Methods 53 (Discuss the methods used in developing the multiple property listing.) I. Major Bibliographical References 56 (List major written works and primary location of additional documentation: State Historic Preservation Office, other State agency, Federal agency, local government, university, or other, specifying repository.) Primary location of additional data: [ ] State Historic Preservation Office [ ] Other State Agency [ ] Federal Agency [X] Local Government [X] University [X] Other Name of repository: Manhattan Public Library; University Archives at Kansas State University; Riley County Museum; Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas Additional Documentation Appendix A – Map of Manhattan’s African American Neighborhood, circa 1930 Appendix B – Citations for Table 2: African American Population, 1860-1900 Appendix C – List of Potentially Eligible Properties Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C.460 et seq.). Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 18 hours per response including time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of this form to the Chief, Administrative Services Division, National Park Service, PO Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127; and the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Project (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503. NPS Form 10-900-a (Rev. 8/2002) OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 5-31-2012) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation Form Continuation Sheet Section number E Page 1 African American Resources in Manhattan, Kansas STATEMENT OF HISTORIC CONTEXTS The multiple property listing African American Resources in Manhattan, Kansas is organized around the historic resources that are associated with African Americans in Manhattan, Kansas. This multiple property submission provides a context for understanding the conditions that encouraged, hindered, or were associated with African Americans in Manhattan, as well as a basis for evaluating those physical resources that resulted from these activities and associations. It covers extant resources dating from 1865 through 1972 that are located within the current incorporated city limits of Manhattan, and is based in part on previous field surveys. Some of the historic contexts listed below may not be fully explored, either because too few resources remain, or the associated resources have yet to be surveyed. The historic contexts prepared for this Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF) cover three major historic themes of African American history in Manhattan. “On to Canaan” – Manhattan’s Early African American Community: 1865-1903 covers the period from the earliest recorded African American residents in Manhattan, through the influx of Exodusters from the South and on into the twentieth century. At this point, the African American population peaked as a percentage of the total population of Manhattan, and the community enjoyed some political power as shown by representation on the city council and school board. Although life was far from the “promised land” that many of these emigrants had envisioned, their children were able to attend the same schools as the white residents of Manhattan. In 1903, however, discussions about school segregation were renewed, and this time the school board decided to build a separate elementary school for black children. The context “We were all like family” – African Americans in Manhattan’s South Side: 1903-1954 covers the small but tight-knit community that developed around Manhattan’s Douglass School and the nearby churches. Douglass Elementary was completed in 1904, and would serve as an important center of the black community in Manhattan for nearly sixty years. The black churches also thrived during this period, and provided important social, educational, and spiritual support. Segregation and discrimination, however, was a part of daily life in Manhattan during this period. The 1950s were an era of change, brought about by many factors. Veterans returning from World War II, or military men stationed at nearby Fort Riley, returned from the war less inclined to accept the status quo. There were increasing numbers of African American students at Kansas State University, particularly black athletes that helped increase visibility. The landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka in 1954 was definitely noticed in nearby Manhattan, even if the local school segregation did not change immediately. Several events in the context “Maybe someday . .” – Change comes slowly to Manhattan: 1954-1972 came together to eventually break down the barriers of segregation associated with public accommodations, shopping, restaurants, and finally, with housing. The period of significance for this context extends from 1954, the date of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, to 1972, when urban renewal projects were begun in the neighborhood. Although specific dates and events are associated with the starting and ending dates of each context’s period of significance, in reality, there is more ambiguity. Change came slowly in Manhattan, and a single event was not sufficient in itself to mark the end of any period in the city’s African American history. NPS Form 10-900-a (Rev. 8/2002) OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 5-31-2012) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation