Image courtesy of the Atlanta History Center, Kenan Research Center

Listen to the oral narratives

What is the Porch?

Through an archive of oral histories, we are capturing the voices of Atlanta's legacy residents. We believe that by sharing these stories—which hold both cherished and painful memories—we can create space for healing and inspire reconnection among communities. This project empowers today’s and tomorrow’s city planners to strive for a more inclusive Atlanta for everyone.

Why is this Project important?

The highways that shaped modern Atlanta also tore apart Black neighborhoods. This project preserves the stories of those who lived through it. Through a public oral history archive, we're building a bridge between generations and communities, advocating for a future of equitable infrastructure, and ensuring the experiences of Black Atlantans are never forgotten.

More resources to browse!

  • Story Map - a timeline of Urban Renewal and Highway infrastructure from the National to the local.

  • Creative Team - See who worked on this project!

“To design a more equitable future for the City of Atlanta, we must first tell the full story of the past. By archiving these oral histories through The Porch program, we are not just remembering but reckoning with the effects on our neighborhoods of how Atlanta was built.  At the same time, we are envisioning what the city could become.”
— Doug Young, Director Office of Design, Atlanta Department of City Planning

The Porch Project Phases (what we did)

  • Phase One: The City of Atlanta Department of Planning (DCP) partnered with recreation centers offering senior programming. Three locations served as workshop and story collection sites: Thomasville, Pittman Park, and William Walker Recreation Centers. In August, a professional storyteller offered workshops at these locations.

  • Seniors connected with narrative archivists to record their stories at the recreation centers. An artist-designer created a portable & temporary "porch" for the centers, providing an interactive space for conversations.

  • Digital recordings will be archived on a public website. In November, listening stations (containing the recordings) combined with newspaper articles, historic photos, maps, and other relics will be placed in City Hall as a sound installation. The stories and images will serve as educational tools and conversation starters about designing new infrastructure to unite communities.

The Porch is funded by the AARP Community Challenge Grant

AARP Community Challenge grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and more. Now in its ninth year, the program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for all residents, especially those age 50 and older.

Thank you to our project partners!