Exhibit Dates:
Anacostia Neighborhood Library - Sep 25. 2025 – Jan 7, 2026
Bellevue Neighborhood Library - Jan 8, 2026 – Feb 28, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library - March 20, 2026 - June 28, 2026
This traveling panel exhibit, organized by Empower DC and the DC Legacy Project, invites visitors to learn about the history of the historic Barry Farm community and a shared vision for the future site – from the founding of this self-sufficient Black community in 1867 through present day efforts to preserve the history of the site and restore affordable housing for residents. The installation at the MLK Library features an expanded section featuring historical photographs of Barry Farm and excerpts from the Life in the Barry Farm Community Oral History Project, now available on DigDC, the library's portal for digitized and born-digital collections.
Explore Photos from the Exhibition
Above, from left to right:
Barry Farm area homes, February 1948
Ballet performance at Barry Farm Recreation Center, June 1947
Negro History Week celebration at Barry Farm Recreation Center, February 1946
Dance at Barry Farm Recreation Center, January 1946
Photos by Edward Fletcher, The People's Archive at DC Public Library
Related Events
Barry Farm Reunion Event and Exhibit Reception
Sunday, March 22, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
MLK Library, New Books (Floor 1, East)
Join us for a special event to celebrate the exhibit Barry Farm: Uplifting a Living History, Ensuring a Just Future, on view at the MLK Library.