Nichols, Frank V. Original Architect's Pencil Drawing For "Frances Plaza.' Project Being Erected for Pearl Mason and Benjamin Mason under directions of Raymond Pace Alexander, Attorney. 22x 26inches, a few creases and one short closed tear in the

Nichols, Frank V. Original Architect's Pencil Drawing For "Frances Plaza.' Project Being Erected for Pearl Mason and Benjamin Mason under directions of Raymond Pace Alexander, Attorney. 22x 26inches, a few creases and one short closed tear in the margin, not affecting the image. Very Active and SuitAble For Framing. Philadelphia: Frances V. Nichols, 1940 E1000-1500 In 1939, Pearl and Benjamin Mason bought a ticket for the Irish Sweepstakes. They won $141,000, and after paying back the government 4 years of Relief monies and the taxes on the winnings, they bought a modest $3000 house in North Philadelphia, an $800 car, and with the remaining $90,000, they financed the first African-American built " affordable housing' project in America. Their family counselor and attorney was Raymond Pace Alexander, later to become City Councilman. The Masons wanted to do something for their community and it was apparently Alexander's idea to build Frances Plaza. The Masons proceeded to buy up 28 dilapidated 'band box" houses and launched an historical slum renewal project-the first ever self-generated in an African-American community. This is the original architect's rendering of the proposed project, complete with a Church to one side, cars and bicycles, trees, and even the smallest details of flower boxes in the windows of the proposed apartments carefully drawn. Today the site is known as Waverly Court. See Illustration