Tours

African American Historic Sites in Brooklyn

Visitors to the neighborhood of Weeksville can visit the Hunterfly Road Houses; listed in the National Historic Register, these preserved houses belonged to free African American New Yorkers in post-civil war America. Weeksville is named after James Weeks, a freed African American slave, who bought the land the village was established on shortly after slavery was abolished. Soon a vibrant village of free African Americans sprang up, with schools, churches, newspapers and more. Now, only 3 of the original houses remain in this once bustling village in Brooklyn. 

The Weeksville Heritage Center has been established to ensure the protection of these historic landmarks. Tours of the restored houses are available during which visitors can learn about the village and the history of free African Americans in New York. Cultural and community events take place regularly at this site as well as educational workshops.