The Beginnings of Aberdeen Gardens

The Beginnings of Aberdeen Gardens. "Subsistence Housing". , Aberdeen Gardens, built by African Americans for African Americans, was the first of its kind in America. It was part of a bold New Deal program to resettle families who, caught in the jaws of the Great Depression, could not afford decent housing. This highly successful "subsistence housing" project consisted of 158 brick homes on 440 acres, surrounded by a greenbelt of forest. Each home had nearly a half acre of land, where families could plant vegetable gardens, as well as have chicken coops and, in some cases, farm animals. The federal government chipped in 12 mules, 12 cows and 25,000 chickens. Most of the families were those of workers at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., although a few doctors and lawyers joined the mix. The neighborhood got its name from Aberdeen Road, then the main connector to the Newport News waterfront, but it originated with Aberdeen, Scotland, the place from which early settlers immigrated.

Aberdeen Gardens was begun in 1934 and completed in 1937, with the first family moving in on November 1 of that year. They had a choice of 3-, 4- or 5-room homes, all with indoor plumbing and steam heat. Rents ranged from $11 to $15 dollars per month. The village also included an elementary school and cooperative center. At the end of World War II, families were able to buy their homes. A strong sense of community led to the establishment of neighborhood organizations, a museum and a local historic society, as well as the distinction of being named one of the best communities in America. Its seven roads were named for prominent black Virginians. In 1994, Aberdeen Gardens was placed on the Virginia State Register of Historic Landmarks and the National Register of Historic Places.