Poindexter Village facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Poindexter Village
One of two remaining buildings
Location	290 N. Champion Avenue, Columbus, Ohio
Coordinates	39°58′19″N 82°58′04″W / 39.972060°N 82.967794°W / 39.972060; -82.967794
Status	Partially demolished
Units	35
Constructed	1940
Demolished	2013 (partial)
Governing Body	Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority

Poindexter Village was a special place in Columbus, Ohio. It was a historic public housing complex, which means it provided affordable homes for families. Today, two of its original buildings are being turned into the Poindexter Village Museum and Cultural Center.

Poindexter Village was the very first public housing project in Columbus. It was also one of the first in the entire United States! The village was named after James Preston Poindexter. He was an abolitionist (someone who worked to end slavery) and a Baptist minister who lived in Columbus.

What Was Poindexter Village Like?

Poindexter Village was built in an area of Columbus called the East Side. This area was segregated at the time, meaning Black families were often only allowed to live there. The project gave stable and safe homes to African American families. This helped them succeed and build better lives. Many people believe Poindexter Village was very important for the success of Columbus as a whole.

When it opened in 1940, Poindexter Village had about 400 homes. It covered 27 acres and included 35 buildings. A well-known Columbus architect, Howard Dwight Smith, helped design the project. The community was known for being hard-working and self-sufficient. Neighbors helped each other, and people living there aimed high in their jobs. It became home to many important people, like community leaders, doctors, teachers, and artists.

The village was named after James Preston Poindexter. Besides being an abolitionist and minister, he was also the first Black city council member in Columbus. He was also the first Black person on the city's board of education.

The History of Poindexter Village

Poindexter Village officially opened on October 12, 1940. Even U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited for the opening! President Roosevelt had created many social programs, including the Federal Housing Administration, which helped with projects like this. At first, all the residents of Poindexter Village were African American.

For its first few decades, the housing project was very successful. It helped families rise out of poverty. It also allowed them to save money so they could eventually buy their own homes. However, in later years, the area faced challenges, and many homes became empty. Because of this, some people in the community wanted Poindexter Village to be torn down.

Around 2013, the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority tore down 33 of Poindexter Village's buildings. They planned to rebuild the area. But a big effort began to save the two remaining buildings. In 2014, the James Preston Poindexter Foundation was started. Its goal was to share the important story of the housing project.

In 2016, the Columbus Landmarks Foundation listed Poindexter Village as one of the most endangered historic sites in the city. Later that year, the Ohio History Connection decided to make the two remaining buildings a state historic site.

In 2017, the Ohio History Connection bought these two buildings. The city of Columbus also gave $1 million to help fix them up. The buildings were in bad shape and needed a lot of work. Windows, doors, and porches were replaced with new ones that looked just like the originals. The inside of the buildings will be renovated next, including setting up areas for exhibits. The goal is to finish the buildings by 2025. The museum will teach visitors about the housing project, famous African American residents of Columbus, and the city's African American culture and history.

The site officially became a state historic site in July 2021.

See also

• Hanford Village George Washington Carver Addition Historic District
• List of museums in Columbus, Ohio