Looking Back At Central Park's Seneca Village On Juneteenth

CENTRAL PARK, NY — Before there was Juneteenth, there was Seneca Village.

New Yorkers across the five boroughs will celebrate Sunday a crucial moment in this nation's history when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to ensure that all enslaved people were freed.

It was a full two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

But New York City has a different story to tell of freedoms gained and freedoms lost, says Central Park Conservancy historian Marie Warsh.

"Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery, is also an opportunity to reflect on Black culture, and accomplishments," Warsh told Patch. "Seneca Village is significant in relation to Juneteenth because it represents the promise of freedom for Blacks in New York, decades before 1865."

Seneca Village was a community of predominantly Black property owners who lived in the area that is now Central Park between West 82nd and 89th streets.

The community began in 1825 when Andrew Williams, a 25-year-old Black shoeshiner, bought the first three lots in the area for $125.

"Seneca Village was located far from the urban core in an area that was much less densely settled with access to open space and natural resources," Warsh said.

"Far from the racist climate and unhealthy and crowded conditions of Lower Manhattan, residents were able to build an autonomous community that included small farms, as well as churches and a school."

By 1855, Seneca Village was home to approximately 225 residents, about two-thirds of whom were Black New Yorkers.

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A crucial element of the Seneca Village story is the ability to own land.

At the time, New York State law only allowed African Americans to vote if they owned more than $250 in property, which some Seneca Village residents did.

“Seneca Village is in many ways a success story," Warsh said, "Of how Black, middle-class New Yorkers were able to purchase land and build not only their own community but political power and participation."

But what might have been a story of urban innovation instead became yet another symbol of economic oppression in the 1850s, when the city began plans for a new park on the isle of Manhattan.

City planners faced with unhealthy urban sprawl wanted to build a public space where New Yorkers — of all economic backgrounds — could breathe fresh air.

The state enacted in 1853 a law that set aside 775 acres of land to create the nation's first massive public park, and enabled officials to claim the land beneath Seneca Village.

The city bought the land, at prices many residents said were too low, in the process of urban renewal which James Baldwin later dubbed "Negro removal."

Seneca Village is gone, but on this Juneteenth, it will not be forgotten.

This Sunday, all of New York City is invited to return to Seneca Village and honor the city's Black history through performance, art and storytelling.

"Juneteenth in Seneca Village offers an opportunity to not only consider the origins and meaning of this day," the Central Park Conservancy writes, "but to reflect on Seneca Village.

"Discover the history of this community and see performances by award-winning artists throughout the Park’s Seneca Village landscape that honor the voices and cultures that once resided here."

Celebrate Juneteenth In Seneca Village

• When: Sunday, June 19th at 10 a.m.
• Where: Central Park, enter at West 85th Street
• What: The event will feature performances by world-renowned artists who will interpret the history and significance of Juneteenth and Seneca Village through dance, art, poetry and storytelling. Learn more.

The 13th Annual Juneteenth NY Festival

• When: Sunday 10 a.m.
• Where: Prospect Park
• What: The Juneteenth NY Festival was created in an effort to advance the economic and cultural arts in underserved communities and in support of small, Black-owned businesses. With this year’s theme spotlighting “Unity in the Black Family Unit,” the weekend will feature the best in Black culture and will include an array of live performances, exhibitions, authentic local cuisine, wellness and other family fun activities. Learn more.

Juneteenth Trolley Tour

• When: Sunday, June 19th at 10 a.m.
• Where: The Green-Wood Cemetery
• What: Join us to recognize and honor men and women who fought for emancipation and those who fought for the civil liberties of Black Americans well into the twentieth century. The tour will be led by Green-Wood Historian Jeff Richman, along with Moses Phillips, lecturer in ethnomusi... Learn more.

East Harlem Block Party

• When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday
• Where: East 111th Street between Third and Lexington avenues
• What: Decriminalize Nature New York will host a block party with free food and beverages, games and face-painting, live music, a panel discussion, giveaways and more. Learn more.

Juneteenth Community Legacy Project Family Activities

• When: Monday, June 20th at 11 a.m.
• Where: The Green-Wood Cemetery
• What: The kids are out of school, so bring them to Green-Wood to honor Juneteenth with free art-making activities and tours! In partnership with ASNEAA Community Legacy Project (CLP), families are invited to participate in Arts as Advocacy creative projects. Learn More

Juneteenth: The Taste of Sunshine and Freedom

• When: Sunday, June 19th at 2 p.m.
• Where: Astor Place
• What: Juneteenth LP in collaboration with Joe's Pub and Make Music New York presents this free, outdoor concert featuring a multi-artist line up at Astor Place Plaza between Lafayette Street and Broadway. Performances by Juneteenth LP, Carmen Rodgers, and Nikara Warren Presents Blac... Learn more.

Benefit Concert - Sweet Honey in the Rock & Nona Hendryx: 'Juneteenth 2022: The Struggle Continues'

• When: Sunday, June 19th at 4 p.m.
• Where: New York Society for Ethical Culture
• What: All proceeds will benefit Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E. in their fight to end gun violence!Celebrate Juneteenth with a special performance by the Grammy Award-winning African American female a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock and special guest Nona Hendryx! Pre-show meet a. Learn more.

Good Trouble: A Juneteenth Tribute Concert

• When: Sunday, June 19th at 4 p.m.
• Where: Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
• What: Join The Museum of Jewish Heritage and the Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestrafor a special concert on Juneteenth, the holiday that commemorates the emancipation of slaves in the United States. Learn more.

Concert – Sweet Honey in the Rock & Nona Hendryx: ‘Juneteenth: The Struggle Continues’

• When: Sunday, June 19th at 4 p.m.
• Where: New York Society for Ethical Culture
• What: Celebrate Juneteenth with a special performance by the Grammy Award-winning African American female a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock and special guest Nona Hendryx! All proceeds will benefit Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E. in their fight to end gun violence. Learn more.

2022 Annual Juneteenth Celebration Concert at Joe’s Pub

• When: Sunday, June 19th at 7 p.m.
• Where: Joe's Pub
• What: Juneteenth LP (Juneteenth Legacy Project) is a musical collaborative of Black classically trained musicians who are continually pushing boundaries by bringing together unexpected classical music by Black classical composers and brilliantly crafted pop arrangements. Learn More

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The Healing of the Nations and Carnegie Hall Present Annual Juneteenth Celebration

• When: Sunday, June 19th at 7 p.m.
• Where: Carnegie Hall, 881 7th Avenue, New York, New York, 10019, United States
• What: On Sunday, June 19, at 7:00 p.m., the Healing of the Nations//Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference in association with Carnegie Hall presents a Juneteenth Celebration event in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage. Learn More

Juneteenth UnityFest

• When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday
• Where: Lena Horne Bandshell9th Street & Prospect Park West
• What: Barry Brewer hosts an evening of performances from Tye Tribbett, Deborah Cox, Israel Houghton, Mali Music, and Robert Randolph. Learn more.

Discounted Eats At Manhattanville Market (Sunday-Monday)

• When: Sunday through Monday
• Where: Manhattanville Market — the new food hall on Columbia University's West Harlem campus — at Broadway between West 129th and 130th streets.
• What: The market will offer 25 percent to diners all day Sunday and Monday. Restaurants in the market include Butterfunk Biscuit, Shai Hummusiya, Benny Casanova's Pizza, and The Botanist. Learn more.