Wichita Standard

On June 26, 2023, Wichita Park & Recreation announced they will receive $150,000 in funding from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a program from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

This funding will support the development of a preservation plan and implementation of capital improvements to the pool house at Charles McAfee Pool in McAdams Park. The pool and pool house, built in 1969, were designed by award-winning architect and civil rights leader, Charles F. McAfee.

"We are grateful to the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund for their support of Wichita Park & Recreation and our dedication to telling stories of African American achievement and resilience," said Troy Houtman, Park & Rec Director. "This funding will allow us to develop a plan to preserve an architectural gem in one of our most historically and culturally significant parks.” As part of the Action Fund's 2023 national grant announcement, Wichita Park & Recreation is one of eight sites to receive funding from the Conserving Black Modernism, a partnership between Getty and the Action Fund to recognize, celebrate and protect historic modernist sites designed by Black architects.

"The Action Fund's investment in and celebration of modernist architecture designed by Black architects illustrates our belief that historic preservation plays an important role in telling the often-overlooked stories of Black architects," said Brent Leggs, Executive Director, African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund and Senior Vice President, National Trust for Historic Preservation. "The history embodied in these places is emblematic of generational aspirations for freedom, the pursuit of education, a need for beauty and architecture, and joys of social life and community bonds. That's why the Action Fund believes all Americans must see themselves and our shared history in this year's grantee list if we are to create a culturally conscious nation."

With more than $95 million in funding, the Action Fund is the largest U.S. resource dedicated to the preservation of African American historic places. Their mission is to protect historic places that represent African American activism, achievement, and resilience.

The Action Fund expands the American story and ensures places like Charles McAfee Swimming Pool and Pool House are never forgotten. To learn more about the Conserving Black Modernism program and this year's grant recipients, visit savingplaces.org.

Original source can be found here.