A Tribe Called Carver Village
Nicole C. Colvin and Fridam Ampofo
Visual Anthropology 107
Spring 2017 Quarter; Professor Susan Falls, PhD
A Tribe Called Carver Village
Abstract
Fridam and Nicole are students enrolled in the Spring 2017 Visual Anthropology course with Susan Falls, PhD, at the Savannah College of Art in Design. Both students brought their own experiences and cultural perspectives to this assignment exploring a historically black community that recently achieved designation on the National Registry of Historic Places in 2016.
For fieldwork, the students visited the community of Carver Village and asked several locals open-ended questions about their experience living and working in the neighborhood. They focused on their perspective of the neighborhood. Based on our fieldwork, we discovered a gap exists in Savannah. The affects of establishing a neighborhood based on color alone has created a divide that has continued for generations and is present in 2017.
The interviewees did not provide last names and some declined to be photographed to keep their anonymity.
Introduction
Located to the west of downtown Savannah, Georgia, just beyond the on-ramp for Interstate 16, is a community many locals have never visited and don’t know exists — Carver Village.
The community encompasses much more than houses and streets. It includes churches, businesses, parks and a community center between the border lines — West Gwinnett Street on the north, Allen Avenue on the east, Blun Avenue on the south, and Collat Avenue on the west.
Even more important are the people who make this community thrive. This is why we decided to visit this area — to explore what embodies this community and its importance to Savannah.
Historical Roots & Recognition
Named in honor of distinguished African-American scientist George Washington Carver, the community was established in the late 1940s to provide affordable housing for working-class African Americans. According to the city, the development relieved residential congested areas of Savannah and eased the discomfort of the difficulties of housing conditions. With 600 residential units, it was known as the largest individually-owned housing development for people of color in the world. Military personnel, physicians, and industrial workers moved to the neighborhood where notable local architects Cletus and William Bergen designed modern 2 bedroom homes designed for livability and comfort.
Since that time, many original homeowners have remained in the neighborhood, while others have relocated or passed their homes on to their heirs.
After years of working through the lengthy application process, the neighborhood received a highly sought after designation from the state last year — registration on the National Registry of Historic Places. Through this designation, Carver Village homes are now federally protected properties and will have a museum highlighting its history. In addition, inclusion can make grant funding, tax credits and abatements available, thus preserving the neighborhood and granting potential for preferential assessments that freeze the property’s value for 8 years.
The City of Savannah has 10 additional neighborhoods on the National Register, including: The National Landmark Historic District; the Central of Georgia Historic District; the Victorian District; Cuyler- Brownville; Thomas Square Streetcar; Ardsley Park/Chatham Crescent; Eastside; Parkside; Gordonston; and Fairway Oaks/Greenview.
Observations from a 60-year Resident
We first interviewed Johnny and Jonni, a couple who lived near the corner of Porter and Winburn. They were enjoying an afternoon under their carport when we approached them and asked a few questions about the neighborhood. They had been married for nearly 50 years and resided in the neighborhood since 1959.
Both have enjoyed living in Carver Village and acknowledged it was a friendly neighborhood. When asked why they have continued to stay there, Johnny acknowledged that opportunities have occurred over the years for them to leave, but they chose to stay. “We’re home all the time and we like it here,” he said. He recognized that younger generations have begun to move into the neighborhood as the older generation has started to pass away. “There are a lot of younger people here — more children and more animals,” he said. “But everybody minds their own business.”
We are a Tribe
We continued to tour the neighborhood. As we rode around, we came upon Akim and Maurice on Cubbedge Drive, two life-long residents of Carver Village. They shared that they had never before spoken to students from SCAD and were skeptical of our presence in their neighborhood.
“Carver Village used to be a true village. A real tribe. We’re like brothers here,” Akim, 45 years old. “We feel safe here because this is our family.” The two shared stories about growing up in a tight-knit neighborhood, where they would eat meals together and care for one another. Although Akim no longer lives in Carver Village and relocated to Pooler, he returns almost daily to the community. “This is home,” he said.
When asked what message needed to be relayed to our classmates, Akim emphatically expressed a misconception surrounding black neighborhoods.
“What people are portraying on the news is not us.”
Not a Stereotype
Lee, a Carver Village Community Center Coordinator, agrees with Akim. “There’s a stereotype — citywide — to be afraid of black people.” He shared that in reality there’s not a lot of crime that occurs in the community in which he lives and works. “SCAD students and people in Savannah are afraid and hesitant to speak with us and that’s disturbing.” He acknowledged that without knowing each other the stereotype persists. In addition, he shared that he spotted us on Cubbage Drive speaking with Akim and Maurice on his way to the Community Center — proving that not only is Carver Village tight knit, it has its own image where we stood out as non-residents.
We are a Family
While speaking with Lee about the neighborhood and its resources, a resident (Stephanie) came in looking for assistance. She shared that she was a recovering drug addict in need of help with her resume. Through observing this exchange between Lee and Stephanie, we discovered the neighborhood’s seemingly invisible hierarchical structure between those who have access to the resources and those who do not.
“Family is a necessity. It’s important to us and we are a family,” said Lee. “It’s the culture of black people — it goes back to slavery…we have to take care of each other.”
Conclusion
There is great depth and historical significance in this neighborhood and with additional time, we would expand and further research the community.
One such avenue would be to look at the local external perception of Carver Village by interviewing various residents throughout Savannah about their thoughts on the neighborhood. Potential questions could include: Are they aware of the neighborhood? Have they visited the community? Do they know anyone who lives there? What is their perception of the area? Would they live there or recommend a friend or loved one to live there? We could also speak with local law enforcement and survey safety records as safety was a response that frequently appeared in our interviews. This information would supplement their assessment of the safety of the community.
We could also explore the history of the African American community including the importance of and historical roots of taking care of one another, as this was a frequent narrative that came up in our interviews. We could also explore the history of the community, including more in-depth interviews with people who live there today and have lived there in the past.
In addition, we would also like to explore why Carver Village isn’t listed on the Historic Savannah Foundation’s website along with the other historic districts (as of May 2017).
The purpose of this project is to shed a positive light on a hidden community — one with great significance for the city of Savannah. In a city known internationally for historical preservation, there is an obvious disparity between areas designated as historical districts. Through our fieldwork, it is apparent that a gap exists in Savannah. The affects of establishing a neighborhood based on color alone has created a divide that has continued for generations and is present in 2017.
References:
Charneywtoccom. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kdo7hvM2NU. YouTube, 24 July 2013. Web. 25 May 2017.
WJCL Staff. “City Celebrates Carver Village History.” WJCL. WJCL, 05 July 2016. Web. 25 May 2017.
WTOC Staff. “Carver Village becomes nationally recognized historic district.” WTOC.com — WTOC-TV: Savannah, Beaufort, SC, News, Weather & Sports. N.p., 03 Sept. 2016. Web. 25 May 2017.
City of Savannah Public Information Office. “City celebrates Carver Village history.” The City of Savannah. N.p., 20 May 2016. Web. 25 May 2017.
Curl, Eric. “Carver Village neighborhood clears historic designation hurdle.” Savannahnow.com. N.p., 21 May 2016. Web. 25 May 2017.
“Carver Heights to be Focus of Historic Resources Survey.” The Savannah Tribune. Ed. Unknown. N.p., 05 Sept. 2012. Web. 25 May 2017.
“National Register Historic Districts — Historic Savannah Foundation.” Historic Savannah Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2017.
