Sarah Ward

By SARAH E. WARD
Staff Writer
Preface Photo/SARAH E. WARD

Almost 91 years ago, the Engman Natatorium was built for the public as a community indoor pool for all tax-paying residents in South Bend. It was the largest swimming pool in the state of Indiana. Although the pool was built for South Bend residents, African-Americans were being turned away and not allowed to use the facilities.

Many local African-American residents stood up against the discrimination and petitioned the Board of Park Commissioners in May of 1931 to allow equal use of the facilities. This citizen- formed committee asked the board to eliminate the restrictions and reiterated the fact that the facility was “for the use, comfort, and general welfare of all residents of South Bend, irrespective of race or color.”

Due to the lack of public swimming facilities, African-American children found abandoned gravel pits and unsafe swimming holes to enjoy the summer months, and as a result a South Bend youth lost his life. In 1936, the facility finally allowed limited access to African- Americans but still on a segregated basis and only one day a week.

In 1950 after years of battling, the Natatorium became completely desegregated but stayed open for only 28 years before closing in 1978. The building sat empty for about 30 years until the Civil Rights Heritage Center was formed, and the IU South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center decided to get involved to transform the rotting, dilapidated building into a beautiful dedicatory tribute to those who suffered injustice and fought for the human rights they knew they deserved.

On January 19, 2013, a new exhibit was unveiled at the Natatorium, titled “Making Waves: Civil Rights and the South Bend Natatorium.” The fascinating exhibit bestows a glimpse into the 28-year struggle it took African-Americans to be allowed full access to the facility. According to George Garner, tours and collections coordinator for the center, it is an experience needed to feel in person.

“It takes the visitor through the African-American experience in South Bend using this building as an example. People of color have been living in and contributing to this town almost and literally since day one and we explore that, we talk about how this is not a new phenomenon this has been an integrated town forever, almost to the day of its founding. We talk about when the first family really started to come and establish themselves, which was the Powell family in 1858. It’s a long line and continues to this day. It’s one of, if not the longest lines in South Bend.”

The opening of this exhibit came on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, when several other events were happening in South Bend as well. The unveiling follows the 150 th

anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Next year will mark the 50 th anniversary of the “I Have a Dream” speech and the March on Washington.

“For almost 30 years this building stayed almost either completely excluded or at best segregated. Here’s an example of Jim Crow, southern-style racism. We think of that only happening in the south but that is not true. We’re sitting in an example of it right now,” said Garner.

On the day of the unveiling, an open reception for the public was held and then brief remarks were made by Alma C. Powell, the center’s acting director. The designer of the exhibit is Anne H. Berry, visiting assistant professor of graphic design at the University of Notre Dame, who felt personally invested in the project.

“I’m somebody who comes from a mixed background. I’m originally from Goshen so I’m from this region. I’m already invested in the history of this place and the story that’s being told. I’m not a historian, but as a designer I have the ability to take this information and try and communicate it in a way that’s engaging to other people.”

Others also invested in the history are people who were youth patrons to the pool decades ago, like Irene Eskridge.

“I came to this building. I was one of the one’s that could come once a week. As time went on, after 9 or 10 [years old], I found out. My brothers were older, we stopped coming.”

As the pain suffered by many cannot be taken away, at least a dedication to those who fought injustice may be given back.

To see the new exhibit visit The Natatorium at 1040 W. Washington St., South Bend, IN 46601 and visit them at http://www.TheNatatorium.org .