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Ann Arbor 200
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There Went The Neighborhood: The Closing of Jones School

As part of Ann Arbor 200, the Ann Arbor District Library and 7 Cylinders Studio (7CS) have produced a documentary film about the closing of Ann Arbor's Jones School. In 1965, the Board of Education closed the majority-Black school. Ann Arbor joined a nationwide trend of school desegregation during the Civil Rights Era. But for these young students, the loss of a neighborhood school foreshadowed changes to their close-knit community. Gentrification came to Ann Arbor on the heels of desegregation.

In the making of this film, 7CS filmmakers and AADL archivists interviewed over thirty former Jones students and Black community leaders. They shared memories of Jones School and "The Old Neighborhood"—the areas now known as Kerrytown and Water Hill. A filmed walking tour, studio interviews, and historical photos form the core of the film. Run time is approximately 40 minutes.
 

The AADL Archives has many additional materials to explore relating to these topics, including a history of Jones School and dozens of Ann Arbor News articles that appear in the film:

City Invests in Demolition of Lansky's Junk Yard, August 1976 Photographer: Larry E. Wright

City Invests in Demolition of Lansky's Junk Yard, August 1976 image
Year:
1976
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, August 10, 1976
Caption:
Eyesore To Park: A Summit Street eyesore is washed away under a wrecker's ball (above) and a frontend loader (left). The cleansed area, formerly housed a junkyard. But by this time next year, it will be part of a Summit Street park. The city had owned the land since last year and the work is expected to end complaints about the trashy appearance of the lot. The park plans include closing a portion of Summit, construction of an "unstructured" outdoor theater, renovation of an existing shelter, an open game field, an asphalt track for running, roller skating or walking, a small spray fountain, 1 1/2 basketball courts, a play area with timber structures and a picnic area. Cost of the project is estimated at about $250,000, with the state paying it all. Construction of the park is expected to begin in September, with most of the work being finished this fall.

Demolition of Lansky's Junk Yard on East Summit Street, August 1976 Photographer: Larry E. Wright

Demolition of Lansky's Junk Yard on East Summit Street, August 1976 image
Year:
1976
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, August 10, 1976
Caption:
Eyesore To Park: A Summit Street eyesore is washed away under a wrecker's ball (above) and a frontend loader (left). The cleansed area, formerly housed a junkyard. But by this time next year, it will be part of a Summit Street park. The city had owned the land since last year and the work is expected to end complaints about the trashy appearance of the lot. The park plans include closing a portion of Summit, construction of an "unstructured" outdoor theater, renovation of an existing shelter, an open game field, an asphalt track for running, roller skating or walking, a small spray fountain, 1 1/2 basketball courts, a play area with timber structures and a picnic area. Cost of the project is estimated at about $250,000, with the state paying it all. Construction of the park is expected to begin in September, with most of the work being finished this fall.

Owners of Lansky and Sons Salvage Yard, June 1987 Photographer: Colleen Fitzgerald

Owners of Lansky and Sons Salvage Yard, June 1987 image
Year:
1987
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, June 28, 1987
Caption:
Gilbert and Aubrey Lansky in their scrap yard on North Main Street along the Huron River.

Brothers Gilbert and Aubrey Lansky, June 1987 Photographer: Colleen Fitzgerald

Brothers Gilbert and Aubrey Lansky, June 1987 image
Year:
1987
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, June 28, 1987
Caption:
Gilbert Lansky (left) and his brother Aubrey Lansky recall the history of their family's firm.