Historic Memorial Unveiling at the Mims House, the First Black-Owned Property in Eugene

By Eric Alan

Published May 27, 2016 at 10:38 AM PDT

The Mims House at 330 High Street in Eugene

The Mims House became the first black-owned property in Eugene in 1948, after previous ordinances prohibited people of color from purchasing property or living within city limits. Eric Alan speaks with Willie Mims about the living history there, including visits from Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. He also speaks with local NAACP President Eric Richardson about how the Mims House provides a positive bridge to the future. A historic memorial will be unveiled at the Mims House on Sunday, May 29 ^th.

Interview with Willie Mims and Eric Richardson (extended version).

Historic Memorial Unveiling at the Mims House, the First Black-Owned Property in Eugene

Eric Alan

Eric Alan is KLCC’s music, arts and culture host. The interviews and performances he hosts air on KLCC as local inserts during programs including The Takeaway, Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Fresh Air, and The World. Previously, he spent seventeen years at Jefferson Public Radio in Ashland, where he was music director and host of the daily music show Open Air. He is a nationally published author and photographer with three books to his credit, ranging from nature spirituality to major league baseball. He also works with National Geographic photographer Dewitt Jones, regularly contributing words and photographs to the project “Celebrate What’s Right with the World.” He is an accomplished lyricist as well, with credits ranging from international recording artists Gypsy Soul to the Oregon Cabaret Theatre. He has served on the board of the Lane County Cultural Coalition, and is a founding board member of Cerro Gordo Land Conservancy.