Oral History Interview with Della Lowery

Della Lowery, an African American woman born in 1924, describes what Anacostia was like after moving to the neighborhood in July of 1950. She recalls how most people worked either for the government or as laborers and teachers; her involvement with the Parent Teacher Association; how friendly the community used to be to each other; and the changing demographics of the neighborhood after the construction of apartment complexes and Suitland Parkway. She speaks about the different communities of Congress Heights and Hillsdale-Barry Farms as well as their important landmarks, such as the Frederick Douglass Home, St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Moten Elementary School, and Eureka and Green Willow Parks. Lowery discusses racial tension and integration in Congress Heights. She talks about the police force at that time and the important congregational members of Bethlehem Baptist Church and St. John's Episcopal Church, such as Ella Pearis, Edith Greene, and Barbara Glover. She concludes the interview speaking about typical salaries for certain jobs in the 1950s. Della Lowery was interviewed by John Bradshaw in March of 1971. Digital audio files include white noise and static; interviewee can be heard clearly for most parts.