Seeking to alter the narrative of its neighborhood, as “less deserving” than other neighborhoods of Newark, Clinton Hill Community Action is documenting, celebrating, and sharing its stories through oral history and multimedia, collections, walking tours, and events.

Clinton Hill has a history worth knowing. The Neighborhood History Project is bringing together residents, local historians, and experts to produce a written history of the neighborhood, a walking tour of historically significant places, and a collection of photographs and oral histories. This work is laying the foundation for a planned neighborhood museum — a permanent home for the stories, the faces, and the legacy of Clinton Hill.

The project had its beginning in NJCH’s Community History program, introducing the organization to new techniques in community engagement, oral history, and archival practices. Supported by a subsequent grants from NJCH and other funders, the Clinton Hill Neighborhood History Project continues today.

“Perhaps the lesson with the biggest impact on Clinton Hill was that, with some training, we could be our own public historians,” said Khaatim Sherrer El, the organization’s executive director.

Meet other Community History participants and learn about the program »