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i. CRITERIA V

“to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land- use,

or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human

interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable

under the impact of irreversible change;”

DISCUSSION: The Freeman Houses are what remains of a settlement that represented the changing culture

in the United States of free blacks, runaway slaves, and Native Americans. “Little Liberia” as a whole was an

example of how minorities functioned, adapted, and ultimately reached success in a society that opposed their

human rights. The only two remaining structures of Little Liberia are the Freeman Houses, which are perhaps

the utmost exceptional testimony of the people who lived there.

ii. CRITERIA VI

“to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with

ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding

universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should

preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria);”

DISCUSSION: The Freeman Houses are significantly associated toward the advancements of the civil

rights of the black population in the United States during the 1800s. As the houses themselves were

constructed just a couple decades before the Civil War and the success of Mary and Eliza Freeman continued

until after the end of the war, the very existence of the houses is what remains of the changing lives and

traditions of the black population in the United States. The belief of equality between men and women and all

races are demonstrated by the lives of the Freeman sisters and the structures that remain are directly associated

with those beliefs and success.

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