Audio/Video Repository

Interview with Rev. Lawson and his wife, Mrs. Lawson, in which they discuss what brought them to Riverside. Rev. and Mrs. Lawson discuss the threat of institutions like the University of Houston and the medical center on the low income housing in the area. Rev. and Mrs. Lawson discuss the origins of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Rev. and Mrs. Lawson talk about the blockbusting and the yard sign movement. Rev. Lawson describes what's taken place not as integration, but as a transition from white to Black with a few pockets of white people still living in the neighborhood. Mrs. Lawson talks about the change in demographics that is starting to take place on Dowling street.

Digitization and access for this item is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and Texas State Library and Archives Commission (2018).

This interview was used in the creation of Jon Schwartz’s documentary film “This Is Our Home, It Is Not For Sale.”

Collection

University of Houston Libraries Special Collections

Houston History Archives

This Is Our Home, It Is Not For Sale Film Collection