Oral history interview with Henry Sayles Jr.

Henry Sayles Jr., an African American man born in 1903, talks about the history of Anacostia and how his family moved to Barry Farm-Hillsdale neighborhood from Virginia before he was born. He recalls his experiences growing up in Anacostia. He remembers banking at the Anacostia Bank, shopping at Eastern Market and Dr. Shipley's Pharmacy, and playing at Green Willow and Eureka Park. Sayles discusses his brother, Frank Sayles, his sister, Louise Sayles Ball, and his father, Henry Sayles Sr., who owned various business around Anacostia, including a confectionery store and Sayles Coal Yard. He includes information about farming and gardening in the neighborhood as well as about St. Elizabeth's and different stores around Nichols Avenue and Douglass Hall. He ends the interview talking about how the community of Barry Farm-Hillsdale felt separate from the African Americans on the other side of the Anacostia River and from the rest of Anacostia. Henry Sayles Jr. was interviewed by John Tetrault in July of 1974. Digital audio files include significant white noise and static; interviewee can be heard for some parts.