A [homestyle] porch has always been more than a place to sit for relaxation. It’s a place where wisdom is passed down and family history finds its voice for many in the Black community. Oral tradition(s) originated in the cultural practices from African societies, where storytelling served not only as a source of entertainment but also as a means of preserving history and conveying moral lessons.
“The porch of a home is where people tell stories and this is where oral history lives,” said Jessyca Holland, Urban Planner II. “Yes, we written history, but this (oral) history is important to capture and the fact that we have this technology that we can do this in the form of a podcast is great!”
These elders are living archives filled with history through experience or storytelling from family members such as “Mama” and “Poppa June”. They remember the laughter over supper and Civil Rights Movement songs that filled the streets of places like Summerhill, Mechanicsville, and Sweet Auburn.
Many of the matriarch figures we spoke with remember “broken promises” disguised as progress, in the form of concrete and steel, that would later divide those same flourishing neighborhoods by displacing families outside city limits, dismantling local Black-owned businesses, and fracturing the sense of community that had endured for generations.
Throughout the months of September and October, City of Atlanta officials from the Department of City Planning (Office of Design) traveled from City Hall to Pittman Park, Thomasville, and William Walker Recreation Center to gather stories from Atlanta’s legacy residents: Prime Time Seniors. Together, they shared memories of neighborhoods that once thrived in the city before interstate highways destroyed homes and communities in predominantly Black neighborhoods.
“Through extensive research for this project, I learned that almost all of the original homes that were around in the during the mid-20th century are completely gone,” explains Ashley Shorter, Urban Designer & Planner. “It’s honestly a somber moment in Atlanta history because I also live not so far away from many of these historic neighborhoods.”
Led by Shannon M. Turner, Founder and Creative Director of StoryMuse, this oral history project doesn’t just preserve memories and stories, it sparks change for future. Ask yourself, “How can a city learn from its past to build a more inclusive future?” By curating these memories, The Porch bridges generations and reclaims the narrative of Atlanta neighborhoods too often overlooked in urban planning history. It honors the resilience of Black Atlantans who have carried their communities forward through storytelling.
“The hope is that we do better and learn from this as we continue to make sure there is no eraser of these stories; so, future infrastructure planning going forward is inclusive, equitable, and serves all of the citizens of Atlanta” explains Jessica Holland. “Every voice has a story, and every story deserves to be heard.”
Coming this November, the Department of City Planning is excited to showcase The Porch: Visual & Sound Installation for the public to listen and enjoy a special moment in history. On November 20,2025, from 10:30 A.M. until 12 P.M. inside Atlanta City Hall Atrium for seniors 55 and over only.
The public can also experience a powerful installation featuring recorded interviews and historic images that tell the story of Urban Renewal and Highway Infrastructures later that evening.
For more information on the upcoming event, contact the Department of City Planning at 404.623.6585 or atlcitystudio@atlantaga.gov. You can also visit the Office of Design online at www.atlcitydesign.com (Get Involved + Upcoming Events).
Funding for The Porch is generously provided by American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), with archival images courtesy of the Atlanta History Center, and support from Atlanta’s beloved senior community.
