Though most of its history remains hidden or little-understood, Brooklyn's role in the abolitionist history of New York (and its less-proud history of participation in the slave trade) offers unexpected additional narratives. Weeksville Heritage Center President and Executive Director Tia Powell Harris speaks about the location's history as one of the first communities of free people of color, years before the Civil War. Lewis Greenstein, a former resident of 233 Duffield St. (also named "Abolitionist Place"), talks about the area's historical ties to the Underground Railroad.
The accompanying article a lengthy but fascinating read on a piece of New York history not frequently told, specifically, the slave trading markets of Brooklyn and Manhattan.
via Newsweek
Originally published on April 17th, 2015
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