Minneapolis advances National Register nominations for MSR, Phyllis Wheatley, and Harry Davis Sr. home
Minneapolis National Register nominations are moving forward for three pillars of African American history, the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, and the former home of civil rights leader Harry Davis Sr. Backed by federal and state grants, the city will hire consultants to complete research, interviews, and an MPDF to guide future listings, opening doors to preservation grants and tax credits. MSR publisher Tracey Williams-Dillard says the recognition honors nearly 90 years of storytelling and service.
Phyllis Wheatley Center, Harry Davis home also nominated
After a year-long study, the City of Minneapolis is preparing to nominate three key sites in the African American community to the National Register of Historic Places, including the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR), the state’s oldest Black-owned newspaper. The nominations are part of a broader effort to preserve the legacy of influential people and places in the City of Lakes.
The sites being nominated are the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, one of the longest continuously operated family-owned Black newspapers in the U.S.; the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, a 101-year-old North Minneapolis hub offering programs and services that empower residents; and the former home of Harry Davis, Sr., civil rights advocate, community leader, and the first Black candidate for mayor of Minneapolis.
“These sites don’t just tell the story of Minneapolis, they are the story,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “From the pages of the Spokesman-Recorder to the halls of Phyllis Wheatley, to the home of Harry Davis Sr., these places helped shape our city. Preserving their legacies is long overdue, and I’m grateful to the community members who’ve worked so hard to get us to this moment.”
A listing on the National Register recognizes a site’s historical significance and can open opportunities for state and federal preservation grants and tax credits. The City will hire third-party consultants to complete the nominations, including research, interviews with knowledge keepers, and drafting a Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF) to guide future nominations.
Funding comes from an Underrepresented Communities Grant from the National Park Service and a Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund grant.
Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO and publisher of the MSR, spoke about what the nomination means for the paper and the community it has served for nearly 90 years. “I’m honored that the paper my grandfather built is being considered for national recognition. This would shine a long overdue light on the decades of work the MSR has done to uplift African American voices and secure its place on the national stage,” Williams-Dillard said.
Founded in 1934, the MSR has documented civil rights struggles, local activism, and community achievements across Minneapolis. The nomination underscores the paper’s role in chronicling African American history and ensuring future generations understand its contributions.
“This recognition will provide a platform to continue telling our stories and highlight the work that continues today,” Williams-Dillard added. “It’s a proud moment for the paper, for the community, and for all those who have contributed to its mission over the years.”
The nominations follow a year-long effort by 15 city-appointed members of the African American Heritage Work Group, who advised on the “African American Historic and Cultural Context Study,” drafted by the 106 Group. The study highlights African American history in Minneapolis from the 1800s to the present, recognizing influential people, places and events.
“There are so many remarkable stories in this study,” said Erin Que, senior city planner. “These stories talk about finding and making a home here in Minneapolis, discuss faith traditions and important community resources. They also uplift the ways African Americans have added vibrancy to the city and consistently fought for civil rights.”
The study and nominations are designed to preserve the city’s rich African American history, honoring the voices, struggles and achievements that shaped Minneapolis.
For more information on the African American Historic and Cultural Context Study or to sign up for project updates, visit the City of Minneapolis website, at www.minneapolismn.gov/news/2025/september/national-register.
Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@spokesman-recorder.com.