The Powell House

The Powell House. . , African American Heritage Trail of Martha's Vineyard, The Powell House, "Keep the faith, baby" , Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. , 1908 - 1972, This, the summer home of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. from 1937 to 1944, and of Isabel Washington Powell from 1937 to the present, has been a popular landmark., Adam Clayton Powell represented the Harlem community of New York City in the U.S. Congress from 1945-70. He was the first African American elected to Congress from the east since Reconstruction. As Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, he was a major force behind the passage of civil rights legislation during the Kennedy and Johnson presidencies. He often cited his legislative record ending with: “I love America.” The “Powell Amendments” brought great measures of social justice to American life. He was also known as Reverend Powell, pastoring the legendary 3,000 member Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem from, 1937-71. He was instrumental in bringing many of his church members to the island., Isabel Powell was an actress and singer appearing in three Broadway shows during the late 1920's and early 1930's. She was a lead dancer at the famed Cotton Club in Harlem. She later served as a special education teacher in the New York public schools for over thirty years., Since 1945, Isabel Powell, has spent every summer here with her neighbors, family and friends, entertaining them with her "bloody marys” and social nourishment. The African American explorer and co-discoverer of the North Pole in 1909, Matthew Henson, was a guest of the Powells., Adam Clayton Powell loved Martha's Vineyard. He was an avid fisherman, and was respected for his civic and community building skills on the island., The Heritage Trail honors and, remembers Congressman Powell for his work in transforming social justice in America, and Isabel Powell for her contributions to the culture of New York City and Martha's Vineyard.