Old Southside- Historic Neighborhoods of Indianapolis

Rediscovering the Neighborhood of Saturdays: Stories of Interracial Cooperation on Indianapolis’ Near Southside

If you drive south on Meridian Street from downtown, once you cross McCarty Street, you will encounter an odd mix of empty lots and mismatched structures. You will drive under the I-70 overpass, which cuts an angry swath across an area that had once been made up of a dense conglomeration of houses and small businesses. Who lived in those houses and what kinds of businesses and institutions once occupied these now-empty lots? In this talk, Dr. Susan B. Hyatt will share some of the little-known stories of the former Jewish and African-American neighbors, who created and shared a vibrant community on the near southside. We will also look at images of the buildings, most of which are long gone, that once shaped both the social life and the material landscape of this Indianapolis neighborhood.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Susan B. Hyatt is Professor of Anthropology at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). She received her BA in Anthropology from Grinnell College and her MA from the University of Michigan before working for 8 years as a community organizer in Chicago. She then returned to her studies at the University of Massachusetts where she completed her PhD in 1996. It was her experiences in Chicago that shaped her commitment to involving her students in collaborative research with neighborhood partners. She is the founder and director of the Neighborhood of Saturdays project, which tells the story of the bonds between the Jewish and African-American communities, who lived together on Indianapolis’ near southside during the first part of the 20th century.

This event was part of a new series presented by the Propylaeum focusing on different historic neighborhoods of Indianapolis. From Meridian Place, to Ransom Place, to Lockerbie, and more. Local experts and enthusiasts will discuss the history, architecture, and historical significance neighborhoods throughout Indianapolis and will share photos and stories from past and present.

The Propylaeum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our mission is to be the place that celebrates and connects women. We value women's leadership, arts and culture, and historic preservation.

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