Joan's House
Joan Davis
Joan Davis has been a tenant of Berryland since 1983. She is originally from Memphis, Tennessee. At a young age she learned how to bake with the help of her mother. Her passion for baking has driven her to pursue a career as a baker. She would one day like to own and operate her own bakery and hopes to be able to offer her delicious creations to her community. In years past, Joan has used her apartment as a child daycare facility and has used her knowldege of baking as a tool to teach and inspire local children. She takes pride in her flower garden and keeps her favorite flowers in planters on the porch to beautify the entrance to her home. Even though she has been a resident of Berryland for almost 30 years, Joan says that if she decides to leave, those flowers are coming along with her. House History Built in 1949, this apartment complex was constructed to house returning World War II veterans and their families. Promoted by the late Mayor Frank Zeidler, this project pioneered community-based housing across the country. Originally, the project was an attempt to bring together the segregated social classes in Milwaukee by creating a modern, integrated and affordable housing option for the growing middle class. The complex has since been occupied by individuals from different economic and social classes but veterans still receive priority status in admission to this housing. The apartment units were originally constructed with 2 and 3 bedrooms, each with its own basement, laundry and coal-fired, gravity warm-air furnace. In an attempt to adapt to new demographics, the complex has transformed over the past 63 years. The complex now offers one bedroom options. The most noticeable change is the new covered porch which was expanded in 2007. In addition to the porches, each unit has been retrofitted with new metal framed doors and windows and the basement windows have been removed. |