The Obsidian Collection plans to buy the former home of journalist Lutrelle “Lu” and Jorja English Palmer. The “Obsidian Home” will be a museum, library, and archival space for content creators and black journalists.
Founded in 2017, The Obsidian Collection is an online portal. The nonprofit digitalizes and archives documents, videos, photographs of black culture. The 133-year-old Lu Palmer mansion located at 3654 S. King Drive has been vacant for close to 20 years.
Ford secured a $1.25 million loan to buy the Lu Palmer Mansion with help from the Chicago Community Trust. The estimated cost to restore and rehab the mansion and add community programs is $3.8 million.
Lu Palmer was a veteran journalist and activist. Palmer began his career for the Chicago Daily and the Chicago Defender. In 1971, Palmer started a radio commentary, “Lu’s Notebook.” In 1986, Palmer hosted “On Target” on WVON-AM radio in Chicago. Palmer’s known phrase was, “It’s enough to make a Negro turn Black.”
The Palmers purchased the former mansion of Justice D. Harry Hammer in 1976. They resided there for 28 years. The Palmers were instrumental in the victory of electing Mayor Harold Washington. The Palmers founded the Chicago Black United Communities and Black Independent Political Organization. Lu Palmer retired from journalism in 2001 and died on September 12, 2004. Jorja English Palmer died December 29, 2005.
The Lu Palmer Mansion was on Chicago’s 2019 Most Endangered Buildings List. The Obsidian House plans to open in mid-2022. To donate, go to https://www.theobsidiancollection.org/donate.
Tammy Gibson is a travel historian, and writer. Find her at Facebook, Instagram @SankofaTravelher, and Twitter @SankofaTravelHr
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