Weeksville Heritage Center

Exciting news! Join us for the anticipated return of the Weeksville Green Market this Saturday, July 13th, from 12-5pm! We're passionate about making fresh, affordable produce accessible to everyone in our community. Join us on Saturdays through October as we bridge the gap together. We’ve got an energetic line-up of vendors, vibes and family-friendly activities for the kick-off event, including: Produce: Fresh Produce from GrowNYC (Accepting SNAP, Health Bucks, FMNP, FreshConnect coupons, and Greenmarket Bucks) Free MacShack w/ any Green Market purchase (while supplies last) Vendors: Curated selections from our community vendors: Henna Get a What What!, Essence Smoothies, Ebaata Skincare, Sscarlet’s Web Bookstore, 18 August Ave, Scented By Missi, Bizzee Body, Legacy DUMBO, House of SpeakEasy, Regal Roots, & Lotus in Violet. Entertainment & Programming: Ongoing Drop-in Augmented Reality Demo with Weeksville’s Artist in Residence, Eto Otitigbe DJ Session with DJ Sean Malcolm Free Stretch Therapy sessions with Slam Duncan Wellness Lawn games provided by Rokh Free food w/Market purchase 2pm Free Pilates with Bridgette from Slam Duncan Wellness 3pm Jewelry making workshop with Jam Rico We hope to see you there, no RSVP necessary! https://lnkd.in/enPX6VpC

Happy Pride, NYC! As this important month comes to a close, enjoy a peek into one of the ways that Weeksville celebrates pride all year long— through our archive! While our archives mostly pertain to Weeksville’s history, we are fortunate to also have a variety of publications that speak to the cultural achievements of Black life from across the country and around the world. Published from 1988 to 1994, BLK Magazine was a trailblazing newsmagazine created by and for the Black queer community in Los Angeles before expanding to national readership. Its mission was to educate, inform, and inspire action on issues related to the Black queer community. In publication at the height of the AIDS crisis, BLK Magazine was a powerful voice against injustices facing the community, as well as a critical platform to uplift Black queer joy, unity, and resistance. Weeksville Heritage Center was lucky enough to acquire a run of BLK Magazine as a gift from its founder, Alan Bell, in 2018. We love how the issues pay tribute to so many important queer Black artists, activists, and thinkers, and are moved by the unique insight they provide into the struggles, ingenuity, and leadership of the queer Black community, still holding resonance today.

What an incredible night! Thanks to your generosity, we raised over $160,000 for Weeksville Heritage Center at our annual benefit on May 9, 2024. Special shoutout to Dr. Jocelynne Rainey and National Grid for their amazing support. From captivating performances to an inspiring art exhibit, every moment was magical. Together, we’re building a legacy! ✨ #ImaginingOurFuture #WeeksvilleHeritageCenter

Join us on Sunday, June 2 for a journey back in time to honor a significant piece of New York's history! Step into the vibrant tapestry of early 17th-century New York and experience the rich cultural heritage of Pinkster, a festival deeply rooted in the resilience and resistance of enslaved Africans. Come experience Pinkster's sights, sounds, and flavors through musical performances, traditional dances, games, art-making, and delicious food reflecting Black foodways and folkways. Engage with our esteemed partners, Chief Baba Neil Clarke, the Pinkster Players, and friends as they share insights into the history and significance of Pinkster and its enduring legacy. RSVP at https://bit.ly/3Ko73zc And if you can’t join us on Sunday, we will celebrate dual Pinkster programs with our friends at Lefferts Historic House in Prospect Park this year! FREE shuttle buses will run between Lefferts House and Weeksville on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2 from 12:30pm - 5:30pm.

Exciting news! NPR and WNYC's Community Gems series spotlights Weeksville Heritage Center in its latest episode “How a Brooklyn center is speaking to the past, present, and future of Crown Heights.” Dr. Codrington narrates our history as a pre-Civil War free Black community to our modern-day role as a cultural oasis. Our mission at Weeksville is to continue to be a beacon of heritage and community strength in Brooklyn, and it is always an honor to be recognized for what makes this organization truly extraordinary. Listen here: https://bit.ly/4bLzQJL Photo Credit: Simbarashe Cha

Mark your calendars: Weeksville Heritage Center and Jummy’s Picks by Black-Owned Brooklyn are once again joining forces for our third annual Juneteenth Food Festival on Saturday, June 15th, from 11 am - 8 pm! This vibrant event is steeped in tradition. Food has been a central part of Juneteenth since its first observance in 1866, commemorating June 19, 1865 — when enslaved Texans received news of their freedom. The Juneteenth Food Festival brings together 30 food businesses for a delicious celebration of Black cuisine, as well as a marketplace of apparel, accessories, books, self-care products and more, all from local Black brands. Attendees will also enjoy music from the legendary Soul Summit Music DJ collective, double dutch with the Jazzy Jumpers, dance performances and workshops by Haus of Glitter, restorative yoga led by Sensate Wellness, art-making activities, food demos, book signings and more. We hope you’ll join us for an unforgettable day of Black food, culture, history and joy. RSVP now at https://bit.ly/4bn64ep

Come behind the scenes of our restoration project at the 1698 Bergen House. In the wake of extreme temperature fluctuations in January and a resultant burst pipe, our team went on a mission to revive the dining room's chairs that were damaged. Our collections manager worked hard to ensure every detail honored the legacy of the Williams family who once lived there. Upholstery decisions weren't made lightly – the process included combing through historical archives, period photography, and consulting with textile experts. After extensive research, we settled on a durable indoor/outdoor performance velvet from Valdese Weavers in North Carolina, selected for its water, stain, and fade resistance. We sourced a set of antique 1920s dining chairs from a coastal Connecticut antique seller that were made by Michigan Chair Company, a midrange manufacturer in operation from 1890 to 1938. We then partnered with Raynold's Upholstery, a father-son duo from East Flatbush to reupholster the chairs and touch up the wood. Every choice was made with the utmost care with the goal of preserving not just artifacts but the stories they hold. We invite you to experience these journeys through time through a tour of our historic houses.

Last month, we had the privilege of hosting a series of impactful events, including Hakeem Jeffries' Annual Clergy breakfast, Bridge Street Settlement's CDNA Presentation on Ocean Hill and Weeksville, and "Kick Push," a vibrant celebration of youth in collaboration with Kingsborough Community Center and Spark House. All of these events centered around investing into the future of central Brooklyn, exploring community needs, enhancing quality of life, and empowering our future through the youth. Weeksville is honored to serve as a vital hub for meaningful discourse, and we are proud to carry forward the legacy of Historic Weeksville as a space for community dialogue for years to come. Photos by Soul Brother, Morgan De Lancy

Our 2nd annual Spring Benefit is shaping up to be an unforgettable evening – one of community, reflection, and celebration – highlighting local Brooklyn businesses, artists, and change-makers. Hosted by the esteemed journalist and reporter Kay Angrum, we’ll celebrate our distinguished honorees, take in an unforgettable performance by Kaisokah Moko Jumbies stilt dancers, and dance the night away to sounds provided by Donwill. Limited tickets remain, there’s still time to join us in imagining our future! Tickets and more information here: https://bit.ly/4a0ZBVJ

We at Weeksville are immensely grateful for all of the sponsors and supporters for this year's Spring Benefit. Their support plays a pivotal role in continuing on our mission to serve our community. For more information on the 2024 Spring Benefit, and to join us in imagining our future: https://bit.ly/4a0ZBVJ