Oral history interview with Geneva J. Craig

Geneva Craig, an African American woman born on January 24, 1903, talks about her late husband, Richard Craig, a long time Anacostia resident and nephew of Frederick Douglass. She speaks about shopping at Dr. Shipley's Pharmacy as well as attending Campbell AME Church and how Moses Cooke helped save the church from being sold. She goes on to discuss other community members and families that are well known in Anacostia, including Hannah Swardson, Charles Williams, and Mack Taylor. Craig recalls her husband working at St. Elizabeth's Hospital as a cook and her aunt, Laura Jefferson, was employed at the Episcopal Home for Children as a domestic worker. She also explains how her neighborhood (Barry Farm-Hillsdale) is predominately made up of black residents with a few white and Jewish shop owners on Nicholls Avenue. She also mentions different recreational activities in Anacostia, such as Mantis Park and Douglass Hall. Geneva Craig was interviewed by Donna Coates originally on September 26, 1975 and re-recorded the interview on October 16, 1975. Digital audio files include white noise and static; interviewee can be heard clearly for the most part.