#weeksville

[batmanbeyondrocks]

[cartermagazine]

Weeksville, Brooklyn. Brooklyn is home to many monumental neighborhoods, but few come close to the history and culturally rich Weeksville. Originating in the mid-1800s sat a small African American village named Weeksville, formed during the post-abolition era. At that time, Weeksville and the surrounding Brooklyn area had one of the country’s densest rates of enslaved people. Brooklyn continued to develop, resulting in Weeksville’s absorption of the Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights neighborhoods. Despite the merger, echoes of Weeksville’s past still exist. Weeksville earned its name from a freed African American dock worker named James Weeks, who purchased a plot of land in the community following abolition in the state. As word spread that African Americans like Weeks were making a living in New York, more would head to the area for the same opportunity as long-standing families continued to sell off their land in the Brooklyn area. In the 1850s, the population boomed to over 500 residents, nearly half of the residents were originally born in the South. All with different stories and backgrounds, the occupations of these settlers included educators, health care professionals, and entrepreneurs. As time went on, the Weeks village would go on to operate a “colored” school, cemetery, senior home, and multiple churches. Not to mention, the village was amongst the highest rates for ownership of property and business among an African American settlement. Weeksville quickly became a safe haven for African Americans throughout New York. The community has changed over the years, but the history of Weeksville remains one of the most influential neighborhoods in New York State, particularly for African Americans. CARTER™️ Magazine carter-mag.com #wherehistoryandhiphopmeet #historyandhiphop365 #cartermagazine #carter #staywoke #weeksville #brooklyn #crownheights #bedstuy #blackhistorymonth #blackhistory #history https://www.instagram.com/p/Co9tQ9eLVR4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[brooklynmuseum]

This month Weeksville Heritage Center announced that if it didn’t raise 200K it would be forced to close its doors. This news hit me hard as I have loved going to concerts and events at Weeksville, and it would be devastating to lose this monumentally important historic institution that highlights the history of one of the largest free Black communities in pre-Civil War America and foregrounds Black people in Brooklyn today. They have incredible collections in their Archives and do phenomenal exhibitions and programs. Weeksville understands the importance of history and proactively saving histories that might otherwise be lost. Thankfully they reached their first fundraising goal and are working towards their second which would enable them to begin building an emergency cash reserve.

Brooklyn Museum and Weeksville go way back, as evidenced by these letters. In 1976 Executive Director and founder Dr. Joan Maynard coordinated with Assistant Director Julia Hotton to host events here at the Museum. From their letters to each other, it appears that they may have hosted the launch of Alex Haley’s famous book, Roots!  In 1977 we collaborated on a few events that included an exhibit of photographs, lectures, and a film screening.

Posted by J. E. Molly Seegers

[deligrossery]

My New Deli & Grocery. 269 Troy Ave, Brooklyn, NY. (Photo Date: 3/23/19)

[fylisa]

Pyer Moss 19′

[hightopsxheels]

THNK discussion is at 7pm tonight! We're collaborating with @weeksvilleheritagecenter for our discussion on #ParableoftheSower by #OctaviaButler Streaming Live at 7pm via @hightopsandheels FB page. Facebook.com/HightopsxHeels RSVP at THNK.eventbrite.com #THNKBookClub #HightopsandHeels #HTxH #THNKbk #THNKnyc #weeksvilleheritagecenter #weeksville #brooklyn #sciencefiction #afrofuturism #blackauthors #blackwriters #blackscholars #blackliterature #bedstuy #crownheights #brownsville

[joedoakes]

Weeksville

[flwrshrk-blog]