The Historian · Eleanor · New York
Weeksville Heritage Center
This is one of the most important and least-known history sites in the city. Weeksville was a community of free African Americans, founded in 1838 by James Weeks just eleven years after New York abolished slavery — with its own schools, churches, newspaper, and Black landowners who could vote. It was largely forgotten until rediscovered from the air in 1968. The restored Hunterfly Road houses survive.
The rediscovered site of one of America's first free Black communities, founded 1838.
— Eleanor, The Historian
The move — Eleanor's insider tip for Weeksville Heritage Center — is in the app.
Get New York — ten locals, forever →Free to read, everywhere. Own a city and every insider Move is yours. Why you can trust us →