“It was either that, or face the wrecking ball while we were in the house…”

Harry DeBenedet on the Redevelopment of the Hill neighborhood

Harry DeBenedet, the son of Italian immigrants to New Haven, grew up in the Hill neighborhood. DeBenedet remembers his friends as being a diverse group of kids, all of whom felt a strong connection to the neighborhood where they grew up together. When the Hill became a redevelopment area, DeBenedet moved to North Haven. Here he describes how he found it impossible to stay away from his old home.

To find out more, visit The Life in the Model City Online Exhibit.

Interviewed by Kirby Smith on November 20, 2003.