Craig Introduces Bill to Declare Poindexter Village a Historical Site
January 27, 2021
Hearcel F. Craig News
Today, state Senator Hearcel F. Craig (D-Columbus) introduced legislation to formally include the Poindexter Village buildings to the Ohio History Connection (OHC) network of historic sites and museums.
“Poindexter Village was one of the first public housing projects in America, and it represents a major part of Black history in both Columbus and Ohio,” Craig said. “This vibrant history still lives on today, and designating it as a historical site will celebrate and memorialize the hope it continues to provide to our community.” The OHC carries out services statewide that focus on preserving and sharing Ohio’s history. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the 400-unit housing complex on October 12, 1940. Named after James Preston Poindexter, a minister, long-standing civil rights advocate and community leader, Poindexter Village provided hope to many and captured the essence of what the Black community in Columbus was like in the 1940s and 1950s. The two remaining original buildings are set to become a public history museum. “This legislation has received overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate, and I am certainly optimistic that it will move forward,” said Craig. “We will continue to work to ensure that Ohio recognizes Poindexter Village as a state historic site.” Senator Craig had introduced similar legislation in the previous General Assembly, Senate Bill 192. Representative Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) will introduce a companion bill in the Ohio House of Representatives.
“Poindexter Village was one of the first public housing projects in America, and it represents a major part of Black history in both Columbus and Ohio,” Craig said. “This vibrant history still lives on today, and designating it as a historical site will celebrate and memorialize the hope it continues to provide to our community.” The OHC carries out services statewide that focus on preserving and sharing Ohio’s history. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the 400-unit housing complex on October 12, 1940. Named after James Preston Poindexter, a minister, long-standing civil rights advocate and community leader, Poindexter Village provided hope to many and captured the essence of what the Black community in Columbus was like in the 1940s and 1950s. The two remaining original buildings are set to become a public history museum. “This legislation has received overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate, and I am certainly optimistic that it will move forward,” said Craig. “We will continue to work to ensure that Ohio recognizes Poindexter Village as a state historic site.” Senator Craig had introduced similar legislation in the previous General Assembly, Senate Bill 192. Representative Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) will introduce a companion bill in the Ohio House of Representatives.