Unity Mural wins national recognition as an Endangered Latinx Landmark
By hola | Published | No Comments
We are excited and proud to announce that the Unity Mural has been officially recognized as one of 13 nationwide Endangered Latinx Landmarks.
The historic mural in D.C.’s traditionally Latine neighborhood of Adams Morgan is scheduled for demolition by the Pepco electric utility later this month. Hola Cultura has been working to save it since first learning of Pepco’s demolition plans in 2017 and is currently completing a report that will offer a roadmap for how the community can come together to restore the mural and find it a permanent home.
The Unity Mural has graced a wall on the Pepco substation near Mary Reed Elementary School since 1982. That summer, during a time of racial tensions, Black and Latine youth came together to paint it. The mural not only became a representation of the diverse Latine identity in Washington, D.C., but also a symbol of solidarity.
“Preservation is about equity, recognition and survival,” Sehila Mota Casper said. Casper is executive director of Latinos in Heritage Conservation (LHC), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing historic preservation in Latine communities. “Sites like Unity Mural hold the everyday stories that built this country, and naming them is the first step toward protecting them.”
(Photo taken in 2022, courtesy of Becker-Medina)
The national program aims to highlight culturally significant Latine sites across the United States that face urgent threats of demolition, erasure or neglect, according to LHC. The Unity Mural’s inclusion not only places the community’s legacy firmly on the national map but also amplifies collective efforts to protect this landmark.
LHC launched the list for the first time this year and issued a nationwide call for nominations. Hola Cultura nominated the Unity Mural, as did architectural historian Heather McMahon.
The Unity Mural is the only East Coast landmark on the list. The other sites include several murals, historic buildings and one entire neighborhood located across 10 mostly southwestern states, where U.S. Latine history stretches back the farthest.
For more than four decades, the Unity Mural has stood as a testament to Latine identity in Adams Morgan and as a lasting symbol of solidarity. This recognition provides a powerful tool to raise visibility, attract support, and strengthen preservation efforts. Hola Cultura will continue advocating for the mural’s preservation as the demolition start date approaches this fall.
SAVE THE DATE! Join Hola Cultura and the DC Preservation League on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 6 p.m., at the Festival Center in Adams Morgan for a community celebration of the Unity Mural and all of D.C.’s amazing Latine murals and their beautiful stories of community perseverance and resilience.
We invite community members, supporters, and organizations to share this news, keep up with our stories and join us in preserving this important part of our community history. Saving this mural will require the shared commitment of the community and its supporters. Find out more about the Unity Mural and how to get involved.
¡Gracias por su apoyo! Thank you for your support!
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