Topographical map of Central Park in 1856, showing Seneca Village.
Like many people, I love Central Park. But even those places that bring us great pleasure can have a disturbing history, as revealed in the sad story of Seneca Village. It was a 19th century African American and Irish immigrant community that was destroyed to make way for the construction of Central Park in New York City.
It was Manhattan’s first significant settlement of African American property owners. Located between 82nd and 89th Streets and Seventh and Eighth Avenues, it existed from 1825 through 1857.
By the 1840s, it had become a multi-ethnic community of African Americans, Irish, and German immigrants. In 1855, the New York State Census reported that 264 residents were living in the village, which also claimed three churches, a school and several cemeteries. Two years later, the entire village was razed.
The NYC Parks and Recreation Commission installed a commemorative historical sign at the site in 2001, after the New York Times published a lengthy, poignant history of Seneca Village:
In today’s world, it is hard to imagine even a progress-minded city administration evicting a well-established minority community…But that’s how Central Park was made, with most newspapers cheering the removal of “the insects.”
To learn more about Seneca Village, attend a talk by Dr. Diana diZerega Wall, professor of anthropology at the CUNY, on this Thursday at Montclair State University. She’ll tell the story of the community and of The Seneca Village Project: an historical and archeological exploration of the area.
Seneca Village: Unearthing a Forgotten African-American Community
Presentation by Dr. Diana diZerega Wall, professor of anthropology at the City College of New York and the CUNY Graduate Center
Thursday, Jan 31st, 7 pm
Cohen Lounge in Dickson Hall, Montclair State University
It’s just as ‘disturbing’ as the people that were forced out of their homes in Long Branch and had their land turned over to developers to make a luxury condo village’ and restaurants. Seneca Village became a park for the ‘greater good’ and Pier Village lined developers pockets. Both wrong but I have less of an issue with Central Park .
@Herbeverschmel – Central Park would’ve been closer to Lexington but Lexington has rich families that forced the park to move further West. While the park would’ve been greater good it didn’t require dismantling a community in one part of town vs. interfere with the rich (not using all of their land) in another part of town. Kind of saying it is okay to run a highway through the Oranges because the highway improves life as long as it doesn’t touch Montclair. Very elitest statement but possible you don’t know the entire story of Central Park.
Unfortunately, Robert Moses did similar acquisition of land in previously good neighborhoods for his highways. The Interstate Highway Act impacted many communities including good ole I280.