Black History Month #5: Langston Terrace Dwellings and Hilyard Robinson
- Megan Searing Young
- Feb 5, 2021
- 2 min read
Langston Terrace Dwellings, which opened in 1938, was the DC area’s first federally funded public housing program and was built for low income Black families as part of the New Deal. Hilyard Robinson, a native Washingtonian, was the project’s chief architect. After serving in WWI, then earning a BA and MA in architecture from Columbia University, Robinson studied the work of both the Bauhaus and the Dutch Modernists. He also toured Europe and Russia and was influenced by the housing projects in Rotterdam and Vienna. According to the DOCOMOMO US (Documentation and Conservation - Modern Movement), “During the first half of the twentieth century, Hilyard Robert Robinson was one of the most prolific and socially conscious African American architects in the nation.” He was committed to the idea that carefully designed housing could improve the lives of residents. Historian Kelly Quinn, whose 2007 dissertation, Making Modern Homes: A History of Langston Terrace Dwellings, focused on the apartment complex included this quote from Robinson:
“Do not be deceived into believing that Architecture is a luxury and an indulgence for the moneyed people alone. Nothing could be more erroneous. Good Architecture is not measured in terms of dollars and cents; its merits lie in the brain and experience of the architect, who—and I implore your confidence in this statement—is a most inexpensive servant, and besides, who—if he is of the proper temperament and efficiency—loves his work.” Hilyard Robinson to readers of Howard University Record, 1925
More about Langston Terrace Dwellings:
The name Langston Terrace honors John Mercer Langston (1829-1897), abolitionist, founder of Howard University Law School, and U.S. congressman from Virginia.
The finished project consisted of 274 apartment units in the International style which surround a central commons. In 1965, 34 units were added to the original complex.
The project is also significant for the public art that it features. Most important is a terra-cotta frieze by Daniel Olney, entitled The Progress of the Negro Race, which lines the central courtyard. The frieze chronicles African American history from slavery to freedom. Please note, however, that Daniel Olney was NOT a person of color.
There are also large cast concrete animals in the courtyard. One of which, a frog, was made by sculptor Lenore Thomas Straus whose sculptures also adorn Greenbelt, MD.
Langston Terrace Dwellings is Located on 14 acres at 21st Street and Benning Road, NE. The project was on the DC Preservation League’s list of most endangered places in 2001, despite that fact that it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places and on the DC Inventory of Historic Sites in 1987.
For more on Langston Terrace Dwellings:
See the documentary, Home: The Langston Terrace Dwellings (1987), a documentary by Barr Weissman
Langston Terrace Dwellings stands as a crucial milestone for Black history and architectural development and community empowerment. The 1930s design by Hilyard Robinson, an African American architect, created Washington D.C.'s first public housing project which received federal funding to serve Black families. Robinson's design work created spaces that maintained dignity and practical use while promoting African American cultural heritage through his design elements and shared green areas and murals. The study of Langston Terrace as a historical landmark shows how important history education is in schools while assignment writing help provides students with essential resources to research and present important topics that celebrate Black accomplishments and strength.
Bohemian dog naming styles often reflect creativity, independence, and a love for individuality. These names rarely feel rigid or traditional. Instead, they sound artistic and relaxed, as if they were discovered rather than chosen. Names such as Echo, Nova, Willow, or Arlo often suit dogs that are observant and emotionally aware. They feel personal without being private. When narrowing options, exploring Gupsy dog names can feel intuitive because these names rely more on mood than meaning. They are easy to adapt to different tones, whether spoken softly or firmly. That flexibility makes them practical for training and daily communication. These names also tend to age well, shifting from playful to thoughtful as the dog matures. Socially, they are usually well…
Langston Terrace Dwellings showcase how thoughtful design can transform communities, reflecting vision and strategies in academics, strategic planning is just as crucial. When I needed to hire someone to take my Marketing exams, using Take My Online Exam Pro helped me focus on understanding concepts deeply while managing my time effectively.
This post about architecture and history was really interesting. It shows how documenting meaningful work helps preserve knowledge for others. I think researchers can take a similar approach when they submit medical research paper for publication it’s about sharing valuable findings in a clear, ethical, and structured way so others can learn from and build on that work.
This article on Langston Terrace Dwellings provides valuable insights into architecture and cultural heritage. It serves as a source of inspiration for academic writers focused on cultural development. Collaborating with professional Masters dissertation writers ensures that intricate historical analyses are presented with clarity, highlighting both cultural significance and scholarly precision throughout the dissertation.