Evanston in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Black House

Black Student Experience at Northwestern

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 23, 2026

1. The Black House Marker

Inscription. Part of the legacy of the student takeover of the Bursar's Office in May 1968, the Black House and the Department of African American Student Affairs were established by Northwestern to meet demands for a designated space where Black students could socialize and hold programs celebrating Black culture and supporting their academic success at a predominantly white institution. The Black House moved to its Sheridan Road home in 1973 after it outgrew its original location at 619 Emerson Street.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical date for this entry is May 3, 1968.

Location. 42° 3.156′ N, 87° 40.646′ W. Marker is in Evanston, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Sheridan Road north of Emerson Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is across the street from the main campus of Northwestern University. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1914 Sheridan Road, Evanston IL 60208, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

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is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: David Thomas Hanson (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity (approx. 0.2 miles away); Frances E. Willard (1839-1898) / Woman's Christian Temperance Union (approx. ¼ mile away); The First House of Worship in Evanston (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Methodist Church of Evanston (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fountain Square Veterans Memorial Wall (approx. 0.4 miles away); Northwestern University's First Building (approx. half a mile away); The Chandler's Building (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Evanston.

Also see . . . The 1968 Northwestern Bursar’s Office Takeover. From the Northwestern University website.

Excerpt: "On April 22, 1968, members of Black
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 23, 2026

2. The Black House
student organizations, For Members Only (FMO) and Afro-American Student Union (AASU), submitted a list of demands to university administrators. These demands challenged the pervasive discrimination that Black students faced. When the administration did not adequately respond, more than 100 Black students took decisive action. On May 3, 1968, they occupied the Bursar’s Office, the university’s business office, in a protest that lasted 38 hours. The Bursar’s Office Takeover marked the first major student-led protest in the University’s history."

(Submitted on May 24, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.