Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the Black community and the progress we have made since our nation’s inception. However, it is imperative that we simultaneously acknowledge and address the systemic inequities that persist. We have made strides toward equality, but we are not done marching. At Bucks County Housing Group (BCHG), fair housing for all is at the core of our mission. We are committed to addressing these challenges and advocating for equitable solutions that create lasting change. In Bucks County, Black residents continue to face disparities in access to stable housing and nutritious food. According to Feeding America, 22% of Bucks County’s food-insecure population is Black. However, Black residents make up just 4.8% of the overall population in Bucks. At BCHG, we recognize the urgency of addressing these underlying systemic issues through initiatives like community food drives, partnerships with other nonprofits, and advocating for policies that promote food equity. Housing has long been at the center of the fight for racial equity in the United States, and Bucks County is no exception. From early segregation to landmark efforts in integration, the region’s history reflects both the challenges and the progress made in achieving fair housing for all. As we recognize Black History Month, we highlight key moments in our community’s housing history—moments that continue to shape the fight for equitable housing today and inspire the work we do every day. Levittown: A Suburb Built on Segregation When Levittown was built in the 1950s, it was designed as an affordable suburban community—but only for white families. Black homebuyers were explicitly excluded through racially restrictive covenants, a practice that was common in mid-century suburban developments. In August 1957, William and Daisy Myers bought a house on Deepgreen Lane and, along with their three children, became the first Black family to move into Levittown. That move-in day led to nine continuous days of threats, harassment and violence toward the Myers family. They endured intermittent racist provocation for some time thereafter, but remained Levittown residents until 1961. Ultimately, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania issued an injunction to stop what it called “an unlawful, malicious and evil conspiracy” by Levittown neighbors and convicted the ringleaders of violating the Myerses’ rights. Though the Fair Housing Act would not be passed for another eleven years after their move to Levittown, the Myers family’s courage in standing their ground became a defining moment in the struggle for civil rights in Bucks County. Linconia-Concord Park: An Integration Amalgamation While Levittown resisted integration, other parts of Bucks County saw efforts to create inclusive communities. Just ten miles away, the overwhelming racial imbalance in housing sparked two significant initiatives to open the market to people of color in Bensalem Township. In 1923, Frank K. Brown, a Neshaminy Falls farmer, recognized the need for Black homeownership and set aside eighty acres near Route 1, calling it “Linconia.” He invited African American families to build homes there, offering them an opportunity for stability and community. Decades later, civil rights advocate and builder Morris Milgram took another bold step toward integration. He acquired fifty acres near Linconia and, in 1954, developed Concord Park—one of the first intentionally integrated suburban communities in the country. His vision was to create a neighborhood where Black and white families could live as equals, challenging the segregationist norms of the time. In 1969, the Linconia Men’s Association and Concord Park Civic Association joined to become the Lin-Park Civic Association, with this purpose: “To serve the social needs of the community, foster civic improvements, and encourage civic pride.” In recent years, Lin-Park’s diversity has grown with an infusion of other ethnicities—an enduring symbol of the fight for fair housing in Bucks County. “Looking back, we can see that Lin-Park came a long way. Down through the years many times we learned to make bricks from straw. But always, God walked with us. When we look at our present generation of young men and women, we cannot help but feel that it was worth the fight. But we can’t stop now because the next generation is at the doorstep.” –Marjorie S. Hadley, corresponding secretary of the Lin-Park Civic Association (1984) The Fair Housing Act and Its Local Impact The Fair Housing Act of 1968 made racial discrimination in housing illegal nationwide, including in Bucks County. While this legislation marked a turning point, enforcement has remained a challenge. Over the years, local fair housing advocates and organizations like BCHG have worked to ensure that all residents—regardless of race—have access to stable, affordable housing. The effects of past discrimination, however, are still felt today in the form of homeownership gaps, lending disparities, and housing affordability challenges. Warminster Heights: A Community’s Transformation Warminster Heights, originally built in 1943 as worker housing for a nearby aeronautical plant, evolved into a predominantly Black neighborhood over the subsequent decades. As conditions in the community declined, residents faced economic hardship and substandard housing. In 1986, they took ownership of their future by converting the neighborhood into a housing cooperative, giving residents control over their homes and community improvements. Today, Bucks County Housing Group’s office is directly across the street from Warminster Heights, and the Serving Bucks Together (SBT) Center—a collaborative hub offering food assistance, housing support, and other vital resources—is located within the neighborhood itself. This direct connection reflects our commitment to supporting the community and continuing the fight for housing equity. Black History Month Events in Bucks County Black History Month offers an opportunity to explore and celebrate the lives, culture, and contributions of African Americans in our community. However, this education shouldn’t end once we turn the calendar to March. Check out these ongoing events to learn more about Black history in Bucks County: Gather Place Museum Gather Place Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in Yardley, Pennsylvania, owned and operated by Shirley Lee Corsey, an African American woman and third-generation Yardley native. Housed in the historic 1877-built African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church of Yardley, the museum embodies a rich heritage and is located in the borough’s Historic District. Gather Place Museum aims to unveil forgotten aspects of Yardley Borough, Bucks County, and Pennsylvania’s Quaker founders, including African American and Women’s history. Since its debut on September 10, 2022, Gather Place Museum has evolved into a living history museum, offering exhibits, documents, photos, documentaries, and interactive history lessons. Visitors can partake in historical reenactments, embracing the West African Griot tradition, where history is conveyed through stories. Open on weekends from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, the museum also accommodates weekday appointments. Under the leadership of Ms. Corsey and her dedication to “bringing history to life,” Gather Place Museum hosts monthly special events and programs providing unique opportunities to engage with history and culture. Open Saturday-Sunday from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM Weekday appointments are available by request. 188 S Canal St, Yardley, PA 19067 More Info: Gather Place Museum “Yesterday’s Dreams Are Real: Collecting Black Art and The Legacy of Lewis Tanner Moore” at the Michener Art Museum This exhibition celebrates the legacy of Lewis Tanner Moore (1953-2024), who championed the work of Black artists throughout his life, challenging institutions like the Michener Art Museum to prioritize diversity in their collecting and exhibition practices. Open Wednesday-Sunday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown, PA More Info: Michener Art Museum Underground Railroad Tours: The African American Museum of Bucks County This exceptional museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history and culture of African Americans in Bucks County. Currently, the museum offers private tours of the different Underground Railroad sites throughout Bucks County for groups of 15 or more. Virtual tours are also available online. For more information about which tour option best fits your group, please contact the Museum at 215-752-1909 or email info@aamuseumbucks.org