Support the Local Landmarking of One of the Last Group of Black-owned Brownstones in Brooklyn
Advocacy Alert: Support the Proposed NYC Landmarking of Willoughby-Hart Historic District
Black in Historic Preservation’s letter of support details the legacy of Black people’s presence in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, obtained from the Request for Evaluation (RFE) submitted by a neighbor in the proposed district, the first step in formally nominating a landmark in New York City:
:: Black people have lived and worked in Bed-Stuy as early as 1790 when Dutch families and others exploited their labor, enslaving them. One of the prominent Dutch families, the Boereums, enslaved 14 Africans and owned property within the proposed historic district.
Bed-Stuy is one of a few NYC neighborhoods that have Black-owned brownstones. After the 1950s, the Black population in Bed-Stuy grew to be the largest of all NYC neighborhoods–it has dwindled since 2001. For this and other reasons, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) should landmark the blocks as a historic district.
Neighbors in the district who have organized themselves as Advocates for Willoughby Hart (@willoughbyhart_hd) asked Black in Historic Preservation to support the landmarking of their blocks as a New York City Landmark.
The Vote: LPC will vote on the landmark designation at 9:30am EST on Tues., June 25, 2024. Homeowners in the proposed district received a letter from LPC confirming this date.
The Hearing: The hearing for the landmark nomination was 9:30am EST on Tues., June 11, 2024.
How to support:
:: Attend the Vote/Hearing: In-person at 1 Centre St, NYC’s Municipal Tower
:: Testify at the Hearing: Register on LPC’s website to testify via Zoom (closes at 7AM EST on the day of the June 11th hearing)
:: Submit a Letter of Support: Send written testimony until 12pm EST on Mon., June 10, or, preferably by 5pm EST on June 7 or until 12pm EST on Mon., June 24, 2024, the day before the June 25th vote.
:: Black in Historic Preservation’s Letter of Support
From the main organizers, Advocates for Willoughby Hart:
:: A simple, "Hello, I am a resident of x, and I support the Willoughby Hart Historic District because y" is a perfect testimony!
You can also watch the hearing and the vote on the NYC LPC’s YouTube channel (must-see TV for Black in Historic Preservation’s Founder kennedy!)
For more information, visit their Advocates for Willoughby Hart‘s Instagram page: @willoughbyhart_hd or website.
And, thanks!
CONGRATULATIONS…
to New York City’s most recent historic district, the Willoughby-Hart Historic District!