“The Save The Hampton House initiative, an effort led by the late Chairman Fred Hampton’s son, Chairman Fred Hampton Jr., and his mother, Akua Njeri, announced today that the application for the Hampton House to be formally recognized as a historical landmark has officially been approved by the Maywood Village Board. The application was submitted in partnership with Preservation Chicago and Participant, the leading media company dedicated to entertainment that stands at the intersection of art and activism, as part of the yearlong impact campaign tied to the multiple Academy Award-winning film, Judas and the Black Messiah.
“The unanimous decision came from the Maywood Village Board meeting held on Tuesday, April 19. The Hampton House, Chairman’s childhood home, is located in Maywood, Illinois. Work is in progress to preserve the property and transform it into a historic site where the works of the Black Panther Party can be displayed and made available for visitors. Along with many supporters, Chairman Fred Hampton’s family called for the Maywood Village Board to turn Chairman Hampton’s childhood home into a historic landmark and community center where visitors can learn about the legacy of the Black Panther Party and inspire future leaders in the movement.
“‘The fight to save and maintain the Hampton House is bigger than a building and more significant than a structure,’ said Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. ‘Amongst other purposes, it serves as a major aspect of preserving the extraordinary legacy of Chairman Fred Hampton, the Black Panther Party, and that of service to the people in general. Though Maywood, Illinois may be small geographically speaking, the Hampton House furthers this momentum with Maywood representing monumental size in the minds and hearts of people throughout the world.’
“Under Chairman’s leadership, the Black Panther Party launched the Free Breakfast Program and a re-education program for Chicago children. Chairman Fred also created the Rainbow Coalition—joining forces with other oppressed peoples in the city to fight for equality and political empowerment.
“‘The Hampton House is an integral part of Maywood’s history. Fred Hampton moved to 804 South 17th Avenue when he was only ten years old, and many formative experiences that laid the groundwork for Chairman Fred Hampton’s extraordinary political activism and leadership took place while he was living in this house,’ writes Representative Bobby Rush in his letter of support.
“The two-flat joins several other homes where Black historical figures lived or worked that have recently received or are in the process of seeking landmark status.
“Among them are the West Woodlawn two-flat where Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, lived before he was murdered in Mississippi; and the North Kenwood home where blues great Muddy Waters lived, rehearsed and housed fellow musicians.” (Rodkin, Crain’s Chicago Business, 4/20/22)
Preservation Chicago’s Mary Lu Seidel played a meaningful role in the process to landmark Fred Hampton’s childhood home and wrote the Landmark Designation Report.
Read the full story at the Chicago Defender
“SAVE THE HAMPTON HOUSE” Campaign Receives Historical Landmark Status, Chicago Defender, 4/20/22