Help Us Save Our Family Home and Legacy in Alberta

In 1968 Martha Louise and Leon Hart, newlyweds at the time, relocated their family to Portland by way of Arkansas, for the chance to start a new life. Together they built a life and raised 9 children and several grandchildren in the heart of Alberta. After her husbands passing, Martha remained in the home sacrificing her comfort, resisting predatory lenders and putting everything she had into maintaining the home for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In 2021 Martha Louise went home to be with her late husband and 5 of her children who preceded her passing.

Today, nearly 60 years later, The Hart house is still with the family and is one of the few remaining Black-owned homes in Portland’s historic Alberta community that we’ve called home. We’ve pulled together every resource we have and we’re almost there—but we need your help to keep this last piece of our family’s legacy alive for another 60 plus years to come.

This house has sheltered love, resilience, and community—and now, we’re fighting to make sure it continues to do the same for future generations. With your help, we can preserve this home, honor our elders, and continue housing Black families in the neighborhood we’ve been part of for decades.

For anyone who knew or loved Martha Louise Hart, for anyone who believes in justice for Black Portlanders, for anyone who’s ever gotten a little help and turned lemons into lemonade—please give, share, and help us reach the finish line.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps us protect a piece of Portland’s Black history and our family’s future.

Thank you for believing in us.