Senate Resolution No. 5783

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the
Weeksville Heritage Center

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
illustrious organizations of the State of New York whose focus and
intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life in their
communities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Weeksville Heritage Center; and

WHEREAS, The Weeksville Heritage Center is a multidisciplinary
museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of
Weeksville, a nineteenth century free black community located in what is
now the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, Originally the Society for the Preservation of Weeksville
and Bedford-Stuyvesant History, the Weeksville Heritage Center was
founded by Joan Maynard, an artist and Brooklyn resident, in 1968, after
Pratt Institute professor James Hurley discovered four wood-framed
houses; and

WHEREAS, The houses, largely forgotten and hidden from view, were
mere vestiges of those formed in Weeksville in the 1830s by James Weeks,
a former slave; and

WHEREAS, During this time, the community realized these historic
homes were in threat of being demolished and the Center was established
in an effort to restore, protect and convert them into an interactive
black history museum; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the able leadership of Rob Fields, the
Weeksville Heritage Center focuses on maintaining the integrity of these
historic structures while offering educational programs to the public;
these programs include an oral history with StoryCorps, extensive
research on the history of the community, and guided tours of the
Hunterfly Road houses; and

WHEREAS, The Weeksville Heritage Center also houses a collection of
artifacts from the archaeological digs which took place two blocks from
the houses in 1968; three of the four buildings have undergone major
renovations to reflect specific time periods, and the space surrounding
the four houses has been re-landscaped to include a community garden;
and

WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, the Weeksville Heritage
Center documents, preserves and interprets the history of free African
American communities in Weeksville, Brooklyn and beyond and creates and
inspires innovative, contemporary uses of African American history
through education, the arts, and civic engagement; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, using a contemporary lens, the Weeksville
Heritage Center activates this unique history through the presentation
of innovative, vanguard and experimental programs; and

WHEREAS, Over its distinguished 50-year history, the Weeksville
Heritage Center has demonstrated continuous service to the residents and
communities which it serves; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Weeksville Heritage Center is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its dedicated staff and Board of
Directors, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by
an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising
standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization
and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents an opportunity for this
Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to Weeksville Heritage
Center; and

WHEREAS, In light of its commitment, dedication and successful
efforts, it is the custom of this Legislative Body to extend its highest
commendation to Weeksville Heritage Center of Brooklyn, New York; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Weeksville Heritage Center; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Rob Fields, President and Executive Director, Weeksville
Heritage Center, Brooklyn, New York.