Reclaiming Beatties Ford Road Corridor Through Art and History
“We would like to give voices to longtime residents and provide a historical perspective to new and incoming residents as this community transforms culturally,” Rhue added.
The Exhibits RCLM 37 I The indoor exhibit first opened in April 2019 and lives in the James B. Duke Memorial Library. It features a documentary that gives voice to current residents dealing with the ongoing changes in the neighborhood. An eight-part display lines the walls with artwork, spirit wear, yearbooks and other artifacts connecting the HBCU to the community.
“We hope to change the attitudes of individuals on the important role in preserving, sharing, and displaying positive narratives of the Beatties Ford Road Corridor/Biddleville.”
Phot courtesy of Johns C. Smith Universty
— Monika Rhue, Project Director and Director of Library Services and Curation at Johnson C. Smith University
Visitors experience the RCLM 37 I exhibit in the JCSU James B. Duke Memorial Library. By Sasha Manley
J
ohnson C. Smith University's twopart installation highlights the Beatties Ford Road Corridor's concerns, history and future. Over 60 years ago, a new I-277 expressway ripped through the Beatties Ford Road area off interstate 85 and exit 37, displacing residents, businesses and churches. These challenges are still happening today. The experimental project, RCLM 37, pronounced "Reclaim 37," is a call to action recognizing the effects of urban renewal
and explaining the need to preserve and "reclaim" the neighborhood. This dedicated work also highlights two black educational advocates and former historic West End residents, Dr. Henry Lawrence McCrorey and Dr. George E. Davis. “We hope to change the attitudes of individuals on the important role in preserving, sharing, and displaying positive narratives of the Beatties Ford Road Corridor/Biddleville,” said Monika Rhue, Project Director and Director of Library Services and Curation at Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU).
Judge Shirley Fulton inspired this portion of the exhibit. Fulton played an active role in restoring one of the historic west end neighborhoods, Wesley Heights.
RCLM 37 II The second phase of the exhibit, RCLM 37 II, sits in the classroom courtyard between the New Science Center and the Jane M. Smith Memorial Church. It features the campus' first two outdoor sculptures—the Open Book and Beacon of Light Installation. They both display the historical contributions of Dr. McCrorey and Dr. Davis. McCrorey became JCSU president in 1907. The Open Book displays his
January-February 2022 | Pride Magazine
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