Document Type

Project

Creation and/or Acquisition Date

11-1-2023

Institutional Repository Publication Date

2024

Description

This collection of projects, created by graduate and undergraduate students in the Preservation Studies program, explores the life of Gladys Mitchell and the home she shared with her family on Detroit's Eastside. Gladys and her husband, Ossian Sweet, lived with her parents Benjamin and Rosella in a residence on 9322-24 Cairney Street from 1922 to 1925 before moving to the now-historic bungalow at 2905 Garland Street, located about a mile southeast. In 1925, when the Sweets moved into an all-white neighborhood, their experience led to a landmark Supreme Court case that affirmed African Americans' rights to homeownership, including the right to defend their private property. Benjamin Mitchell and his wife, Rosella, rented the Cairney Street home until purchasing it in 1928, and they continued to live there for the remainder of their marriage. To supplement their income, they took in boarders and expanded the house from its original side-gable bungalow form, adding a second story and a full-width rear addition. By the 1930 census, two additional families were living with the Mitchells, and the home had two separate street addresses. Benjamin remained in the home until his passing in 1971. The modifications to the house reflect the resilience of this Black family as they navigated racial discrimination in housing and pursued their dream of homeownership. Furthermore, the loss of neighboring structures over the past century underscores the lasting impact of redlining and other discriminatory housing practices on the African American community in Detroit's Eastside and beyond. The student projects documenting the Mitchell House include various forms of media and analysis, such as field sketches, photography, and a Lidar scan conducted during fieldwork at the house in East Detroit. Additionally, the projects include a comprehensive study of the neighborhood surrounding the Mitchell House, focusing on the historical residents and community dynamics of the era. This study is supported by 3D models of the surrounding homes, providing a contextual view of the architectural and social landscape of Detroit’s Eastside. Additional documentation includes an MP4 video of a drone flyover of the Mitchell House, providing an aerial perspective of the site.

Format

3D models outputted in SketchUp.

Period of Significance

1922-1971

Instructions

To access the Matterport LiDar Scan, use the following URL: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=X4PxJmv1vPk SketchUp 3D Models (.skp files) can be viewed in SketchUp Pro (desktop application) or SketchUp Free (cloud-based). Ensure that you are using the latest version for optimal compatibility. Accessing Models in SketchUp Pro: 1. Download and install SketchUp Pro, or use computers at EMU that already have the software installed. 2. Download the .skp file to your device. 3. Upload the .skp file into SketchUp. 4. For guidance on using SketchUp, refer to the official instructions: https://help.sketchup.com/en/sketchup/getting-started-sketchup Accessing Models in SketchUp Online: 1. Visit the SketchUp for Web page: https://www.sketchup.com/en/products/sketchup-for-web 2. Click the “Start Modeling” button. 3. Create a SketchUp account or log in with your existing account. 4. Once logged in, click “Open,” then select “From Device.” 5. Upload the .skp file to view the model.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

External URL

Matter LiDar Scan can be accessed through a web browser using the following URL: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=X4PxJmv1vPk

Institution of Origin

These projects were developed by graduate and undergraduate students at Eastern Michigan University in the Digital Heritage Preservation Lab (DHPL) and as part of the Documenting and Recording Historic Places course. The DHPL is directed by Dan Bonenberger in the Department of Geography and Geology in 114 Strong Hall.

Source

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps: 1915 and later maps from the Library of Congress were used to verify property dimensions and structural modifications. National Archives and Records Administration: U.S. Census records and property deeds provided historical context for the Mitchell family and neighborhood demographics. Google Maps and Street View: Contemporary aerial views and street-level imagery were utilized to assess the current state of the neighborhood, compare it with historical records, and assist in accurately modeling the surrounding homes. Kevin Boyle’s Arc of Justice: Historical accounts of the Mitchell and Sweet families provided context for understanding the cultural and social significance of the property.

Paradata

Processes, Decisions, and Methods: The project focused on modeling the houses in the neighborhood of Gladys Mitchell using both historical and contemporary data sources. Foundational historical context for the neighborhood layout and house dimensions was derived from Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps and U.S. Census records. SketchUp Pro was employed to create 3D models of adjacent homes in the neighborhood. Fieldwork conducted in East Detroit produced field sketches, drone photography, standard camera photography, and a Matterport LiDAR scan. Google Maps and Street View further supplemented the modeling process by verifying the current condition of neighboring properties and identifying architectural elements. Limitations: The models lack interior details, and some features, such as rooflines and porches, were reconstructed based on conjecture due to missing historical imagery. Georeferencing the neighborhood models in mapping software proved challenging, occasionally resulting in minor misalignments. Vegetation, sidewalks, and finer neighborhood details were omitted to maintain model simplicity and software performance.

Provenance

The 3D digital models of the Gladys Mitchell neighborhood were created using Fire Insurance Sanborn maps from the Library of Congress as the primary source for the model’s floor plans. Architectural details of the structures were obtained from Google Street View photographs. Additional data, including Census Records, were provided by the National Archives and Records Administration. All additional documentation, including photographs, field sketches, LiDAR scans, and drone footage, was collected during fieldwork for the *Documenting and Recording Historic Places* course at Eastern Michigan University.

Sponsors

Eastern Michigan University, Digital Heritage Preservation Lab, Historic Preservation Program, Preservation Studies Program

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