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All the United States New York State New York City Brooklyn Weeksville Heritage Center

Weeksville Heritage Center

Dedicated to preserving the history of free Black communities in Brooklyn and beyond.

Brooklyn, New York

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Oliver Hong
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Bergen Street entrance to the Williams’ home, 1925-1968   Anna Minster / Atlas Obscura User
Bergen Street entrance to the Williams’ home, 1925-1968   Anna Minster / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Weeksville Heritage Center is home to a small stretch of historic homes that were once part of the Weeksville community: one of America's first free Black enclaves. Despite its historical significance, the village was nearly forgotten until the 1960s. 

The Lefferts family were among the biggest land and slaveowners in Kings County by the time slavery was abolished in New York in 1827. Shortly thereafter, they began selling off parcels of land. One buyer was prominent abolitionist Henry C. Thompson, who bought up plenty of property to sell to fellow Black Americans. He sold two plots to Longshoreman John Weeks, who built himself a house and began to form a community. Weeksville was born. 

By the 1850s, Weeksville had a population of more than 500 people and had its own churches, schools, and businesses. Despite its success and having been home to several important figures (including Dr. Susan Smith McKinney, the state’s first Black female doctor, and New York’s first Black police officer), Weeksville's influence and legacy faded as Brooklyn developed around it. 

When a pair of researchers stumbled upon a mention of the community in a history book in 1968, the village had been largely forgotten. Threatened by demolition, the historians brought much-needed exposure to four houses that remained on Hunterfly Road: the remnants of Weeksville. 

Since then, preservationists have worked tirelessly to protect and restore the historic homes. These efforts culminated in 2014 with the opening of a modern community center devoted to the houses and their heritage, ensuring that the story of Weeksville would never be forgotten again. 

Related Tags

Museums And Collections Black History African American Slavery

Know Before You Go

Take the A/C trains to Utica Avenue or C train to Ralph Avenue. The B15, B65, and B47 buses are also nearby.

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Added By

Oliver Hong

Edited By

lampbane, icatsstaci, Anna Minster

  • lampbane
  • icatsstaci
  • Anna Minster

Published

March 7, 2012

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Weeksville Heritage Center
158 Buffalo Ave.
Brooklyn, New York, 11213
United States
40.673976, -73.925312
Visit Website
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