“Undesign the Redline” exhibit views and teaches the history of Ward 3 neighborhoods (including ours) through a different lens

“Undesign the Redline” draws from local histories wherever it goes. This was from a 2018 Baltimore exhibit.

by Joy Bates Boyle

“Undesign the Redline” (not about the Metro!) is an interactive, traveling exhibit that explores the history of explicit race-based exclusion, specifically in upper Northwest DC. It presents the policies that created structural racism and inequality, the systems that resulted, and how we can come together in an intentional way to “undesign” those systems and their impacts.

Much of the core of the exhibit is the same from city to city, but with each new location, local stories shape the content. For example, the exhibit includes stories like that of successful Black entrepreneur James Wormley, whose family owned at least two country houses on 10 acres near the intersection of Van Ness and Reno Roads. Other stories focus on Black families displaced from their homes and neighborhoods or barred from buying homes in what is now Ward 3.

The exhibit will be at the Cleveland Park Library (3310 Connecticut Avenue NW) from April 11th through July 11th. “Undesign the Redline” will provide important context and a platform for thoughtful exploration of ways we can address racial inequities and a lack of affordable housing in upper Northwest DC. There are many complementary programs that will help deepen knowledge about our area and spur conversation about the future we seek. Anyone can sign up to receive updates about upcoming programs.

The exhibit is open during regular library hours and is suitable for middle school-aged children and older. Guided tours are available Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m., Saturdays at 2p.m., and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. Private tours may be arranged by contacting [email protected].

A woman takes in an “Undesign the Redline” installation in Los Angeles (2019 photo)

This is the first time that this entirely secular exhibit has been initiated by faith communities. In 2023, St. Columba’s Episcopal Church invited other Ward 3 houses of worship to help plan and launch the exhibit as a catalyst for education, conversation, and action to undo the injustices of racial segregation in our neighborhood and beyond. Founding sponsors include: Adas Israel Congregation, Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Temple Micah, and Temple Sinai.

A team from the faith communities formed the Community Advisory Group (CAG) to oversee the local curation and programming of the exhibit. CAG members include people with ties to communities barred or displaced from Ward 3 and to groups and institutions wrestling with the lasting impacts of these actions. The CAG, which includes students and a professor from the University of the District of Columbia, has helped identify how to build on the exhibit as a catalyst for action and seek a long-term home for all research collected after the exhibit closes.

Designing the WE (DtW) is a design studio that has worked with local residents in cities across the country to bring “Undesign the Redline” to their community, since 2015. Co-founder Braden Crooks and his team help guide the project, conduct research to find and present stories of housing discrimination in each city, contribute programming ideas, and create and install the exhibit in each location.