Weeksville Heritage Center

MISSION: To document, preserve and interpret the history of free African American communities in Weeksville, Brooklyn and beyond and to create and inspire innovative, contemporary uses of African American history through education, the arts, and civic engagement. TODAY Weeksville Heritage Center (WHC) is a multidimensional museum dedicated to preserving the history of the 19th century African American community of Weeksville, Brooklyn. Using a contemporary lens, we activate this unique history through the presentation of innovative, vanguard and experimental programs. Weeksville advances its mission through history, preservation, visual and performing arts, ecology and the built environment. YESTERDAY During the 19th century the village of Weeksville was a vibrant and independent free African American community. It also was one of the first free African-American communities in the country. The settlement is named for African American, James Weeks, who was among a group of African American investors who acquired the property in 1838 to create an intentional land-owning community just 11 years after slavery was abolished in New York. WHC is the steward for three remaining historic houses, which date to the 19th century, and are located on historic Hunterfly Road representing the few remaining domestic structures of Weeksville. WHC emphasizes Weeksville’s history of sanctuary, refuge, independence, self-sufficiency, self-determination, activism and their contemporary relevance. TOMORROW In October 2009 Weeksville broke ground to construct a new 19,000 square foot Education and Cultural Arts Building, set to open to the public in 2014. With this new building comes an unprecedented opportunity for expanded research, education and programming. The new building will see Weeksville become one of the country’s largest African American cultural institutions creating vast national and international impact.