Tells the riveting narrative of the growth, disappearance, and
eventual rediscovery of one of the largest free black communities
of the nineteenth century In 1966 a group of students, Boy Scouts,
and local citizens rediscovered all that remained of a then
virtually unknown community called Weeksville: four frame houses on
Hunterfly Road. The infrastructure and vibrant history of
Weeksville, an African American community that had become one of
the largest free black communities in nineteenth century United
States, were virtually wiped out by Brooklyn's exploding population
and expanding urban grid. Weeksville was founded by African
American entrepreneurs after slavery ended in New York State in
1827. Located in eastern Brooklyn, Weeksville provided a space of
physical safety, economic prosperity, education, and even political
power for its black population, who organized churches, a school,
orphan asylum, home for the aged, newspapers, and the national
African Civilization Society. Notable residents of Weeksville, such
as journalist and educator Junius P. Morell, participated in every
major national effort for African American rights, including the
Civil War. Drawing on maps, newspapers, census records,
photographs, and the material culture of buildings and artifacts,
Wellman reconstructs the social history and national significance
of this extraordinary place. Through the lens of this local
community, Brooklyn's Promised Land highlights themes still
relevant to African Americans across the country.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!