"Weeksville tells the story of Black New Yorkers who built freedom for themselves in a country that tried to deny them it. It was nearly erased by urban renewal. By restoring the Hunterfly Road Houses, we are preserving not just historic buildings but a living legacy of resilience and self-determination."
"The Hunterfly Road Houses, the only African American historic site in the Northeast located on its original site, were founded in 1848 by James Weeks, a formerly enslaved man from Virginia, and a group of free Black men. By the 1850s, Weeksville had more than 500 residents, offering safety, opportunity, and refuge during periods of racist violence."
"The restoration included exterior work on facades, siding, windows, doors and porches. The project added a climate-controlled storage room, upgraded plumbing, exterior lighting, a new fire alarm system with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and CCTV monitoring."
The Hunterfly Road Houses at Weeksville Heritage Center have been restored for $4 million, completing two months ahead of schedule in February 2026. These four wood-frame homes, built in the 19th century, are the last remaining structures of Weeksville, founded in 1848 by James Weeks and free Black men. By the 1850s, Weeksville housed over 500 residents, providing safety and refuge during periods of racist violence. The restoration included exterior work on facades, siding, windows, doors, and porches, plus climate-controlled storage, upgraded plumbing, lighting, fire safety systems, and CCTV monitoring. Weeksville Heritage Center now educates the public through arts programs, film screenings, and exhibitions celebrating the community's resilience and self-determination.
#historic-preservation #african-american-heritage #weeksville-community #cultural-infrastructure #brooklyn-restoration
Read at Brooklyn, NY Patch
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