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Mamie Birdwhistle

Mamie Birdwhistle (January 4, 1880 – January 17, 1943) was an American community leader. Born in Alabama and mostly active in Fort Collins, Colorado, she and her husband, Charles Birdwhistle,[1] played a pivotal role in supporting the local African American community. Their home at 1005 Oak Street became a central gathering place, serving as an informal hotel, church, and social venue for Black musicians, athletes, students, and gospel groups from 1920 to 1946.[2]

Biography

Mamie Birdwhistle moved to Fort Collins, Colorado in the early 1920s, during the Great Migration.

Charles Birdwhistle (far left) and Mamie Birdwhistle (far right) sitting down with guests.

The Birdwhistle household at 1005 Oak Street in Fort Collins, Colorado served as a gathering spot for Black musicians, students, athletes, and gospel groups from 1920 to 1946. As the only Black homeowners on the block, Mamie and Charles Birdwhistle frequently hosted individuals and groups, using their home as an informal hotel, church, and venue for social events.[3]

The Birdwhistles hosted musical groups traveling for performances, provided lodging for young Black athletes visiting to compete against CSU, and organized social gatherings for the Black community, celebrating events like marriages or simply providing a space for fellowship.

Mamie worked as a cook for the Poudre School District, while her husband was a self-employed janitor for various businesses in Fort Collins. He also served as a traveling pastor for Northern Colorado and the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Mamie and Charles had a son, Virgil Birdwhistle, who was born in Fort Collins.

The Birdwhistles' home on 1005 W. Oak, in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Mamie Birdwhistle died in her home on Oak Street in Fort Collins on January 17, 1943. She is buried in Grandview Cemetery.

Legacy

Elevation Community Land Trust constructed the Birdwhistle Townhomes in Fort Collins as part of their initiative to provide affordable housing options for low to moderate-income households in Colorado. The project was inspired by the Birdwhistle family's commitment to providing safe housing and community support through their own home.[4]

Bibliography

  • "Birdwhistle Ribbon Cutting",[5] Mile High CRE.
  • "Two New Affordable Housing Projects Honor African American Legacies",[6] Mile High CRE.
  • Birdwhistle Fort Collins Official Website.[7]
  • "Fort Collins Black History",[8] Poudre River Public Library District.
  • "Charles T. Birdwhistle",[9] Northern Colorado History.
  • "Black History in Fort Collins",[10] City of Fort Collins Historic Preservation Office.
  • Fort Collins newspapers collection" Fort Collins Archives, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery.

References

  1. ^ Dunn, Meg (Mar 6, 2023). "Charles T. Birdwhistle". northerncoloradohistory.
  2. ^ "1005 West Oak Street, Fort Collins, Colorado 1968". database.history.fcgov.com. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  3. ^ "Black Fort Collins || Historic Preservation". www.fcgov.com. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  4. ^ milehighcre (2024-03-25). "BirdWhistle Ribbon Cutting". Mile High CRE. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  5. ^ milehighcre (2024-03-25). "BirdWhistle Ribbon Cutting". Mile High CRE. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
  6. ^ milehighcre (2024-02-22). "Two New Affordable Housing Projects Honor African American Legacies". Mile High CRE. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
  7. ^ "BirdWhistle Fort Collins".
  8. ^ "Home". Poudre Libraries. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
  9. ^ Dunn, Meg. "Charles T. Birdwhistle | Northern Colorado History". Retrieved 2025-04-28.
  10. ^ "Black Fort Collins || Historic Preservation". www.fcgov.com. Retrieved 2025-04-28.