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| The Number House in the background |
After the riot of 1967 Guyton's neighborhood, where the Heidelberg Project is at, started to deteriorate. Almost two decades later, after he came back home from serving in the U.S. Army he came to find it in even worse shape than before. Many of the houses were abandoned and it had turned into a scary and dangerous neighborhood to walk in even in broad daylight.
In 1986, with the help of his grandfather, Guyton began to revive the block he grew up on with paint and discarded items such as tires, toys and shoes. Despite having fires and demolition obstacles in the past, the Heidelberg Project is still going strong today, almost 30 years later, drawing in thousands of visitors every year from all over the world.
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| The People's House or The Dotty Wotty |
I can't believe I almost didn't go to the Heidelberg Project while I was in Detroit, but I'm so glad I decided to go. It is truly a unique experience and one you shouldn't miss if you're visiting Detroit.
Just a word of caution, be careful in the area. I decided to walk to the Heidelberg Project from the Detroit Institute of Arts (see my blog post about the DIA here) because my phone said it was only a couple miles away (I have a feeling it was at least twice that distance though, it sure felt like it anyway) and when I called my hotel shuttle to pick me up afterwards I was told that I was outside the three mile radius they service so I offered to walk somewhere that would put me within the three mile radius, but the nice shuttle driver said: "No! I will come and get you! You should not be walking in that area!" Oopsie. Now, I did not feel in any kind of danger on my walk there, but some of the streets are a little creepy considering there are abandoned and burned down houses and businesses. Also, if a Detroiter tells you not to walk in an area of Detroit you better listen.
Until next time!
-Liz
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