By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Seattle’s Landmarks Preservation Board (LPB) will consider the nomination of the former Phillis Wheatley YWCA Building as a historic landmark on Wednesday, September 4, at 3:30 p.m. The building, which played a crucial role in Seattle’s African American community, is up for consideration due to its historical significance and its legacy in promoting racial equity.
The Phillis Wheatley Branch now known as the East Cherry YWCA, traces its roots to the YWCA Culture Club, which was established in 1919 at the corner of 24th Avenue and Howell Street. At a time when public meeting spaces for African Americans were scarce, the Culture Club became a crucial gathering spot for the community. In 1947, the branch moved to 2820 East Cherry Street and became one of the first interracial YWCA branches in the United States. This site has continued to serve the community in various ways, now housing administrative offices, a food bank, housing assistance, and support for domestic violence survivors.
“We’re proud of YWCA’s 130-year history in our region, especially our services for the African American community,” says Maria Chavez-Wilcox, Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Seattle|King|Snohomish. “The Phillis Wheatley YWCA building served as a community space and provided services from 1924 to 1952 and is an important part of our legacy of racial equity work in Seattle.”
The Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board (LPB), which consists of 12 volunteer members, is responsible for preserving and designating historically significant structures in Seattle.
According to Edward Lee, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Director of Communications and Community Storytelling, “The primary official duties of the Board include reviewing and voting on nominations for potential designation of new City Landmarks and reviewing and voting on Certificates of Approval for alterations to existing landmarks.” In addition, there are certain standards that the LPB follows when selecting nominees for landmark preservation. Those standards include:
• It is the location of or is associated in a significant way with a historic event with a significant effect upon the community, city, state, or nation.
• It is associated significantly with the life of a person who is important in the history of the city, state, or nation.
• It is associated significantly with a significant aspect of the cultural, political, or economic heritage of the community, city, state, or nation.
• It embodies the distinctive visible characteristics of an architectural style, period, or construction method.
• It is an outstanding work of a designer or builder.
• Because of its prominence of spatial location, contrasts of siting, age, or scale, it is an easily identifiable visual feature of its neighborhood or the city and contributes to the distinctive quality or identity of such neighborhood or the city.
“Anyone may nominate a building, site, or object for consideration as a City Landmark,” says Lee. “The properties must be at least 25 years old, meet at least one of six designation criteria, and must have physical integrity to convey its significance.”
The Department of Neighborhoods is committed to a preservation approach that is inclusive, community-driven, and centered on race and social justice values. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of preserving not just physical structures but also the stories and identities tied to them.
“Beyond the structures, the districts, and the many economic incentives involved with historic preservation, the Department of Neighborhoods fundamentally understands that preservation is ultimately about community, stories, and belonging,” says Lee. “What we preserve, be it a building, a park, a sign, or a story, speaks to our collective identity and shared values as a city.”
While the Department of Neighborhoods cannot comment on the pending nomination, Chief Program Officer of YWCA Seattle|King|Snohomish, Jeanice Hardy, expressed her excitement and pride in the consideration.
“It’s an honor for the Phillis Wheatley building to be considered for landmark preservation. This building was a critical resource for Seattle’s African American residents to find community and services at a time when they were denied access to other spaces throughout the city,” Hardy said.
The public is invited to participate in the September meeting and make comments regarding the nomination. Members of the public may sign up to address the LPB for up to two minutes on this and other agenda items for the meeting. Those interested in speaking about the nomination may sign up online at beginning two hours before the 3:30 p.m. meeting start time, and sign-ups will end at the start of the Board meeting. Members of the public who wish to speak can either use the call-in number, the WebEx link, or they may speak in person at the meeting’s physical location.
