Once Divided, Reunited,
2021

The exhibition highlights the rich history of Westview, a historically-significant community in southwest Atlanta. “Once Divided, Reunited” was funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities “Public Humanities Project: Historic Places” grant program. The project shares stories of a past including business development, political activism, civil rights struggle, and community building. In the process, “Once Divided, Reunited” also reveals troubling records of war, discrimination, and displacement.

Residents, civic advocates, cultural organizations, and educational institutions collaborated to ask the questions: “What can we do to help connect a community that was once divided?” and “How can we use the BeltLine to help unite divided communities?” All of this is part of a “usable past” that neighbors pledged to consider and share in hopes of working together to shape a strong and connected future.

Located between Lucile Avenue to the south and Westview Drive to the north, nine signs line both sides of the trail. By bringing history to the Atlanta BeltLine, it becomes accessible to everyone, outside of museum walls. It also gives a deeper understanding of Westview and its powerful past along the former railroad corridor.

Collaborators:
Georgia State University, Atlanta History Center, Georgia Humanities, Atlanta BeltLine Inc.

Photography & Videography:
Jenny Odom