Res 0608-2026

Res. No. 608 ..Title Resolution recognizing the historical significance of Seneca Village ..Body By Council Members Williams and Cab�n Whereas, Seneca Village was established in 1825 when African American residents began purchasing the land spanning from West 82nd Street to West 89th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues to flee from the crowded, unsanitary conditions and racial discrimination of lower Manhattan; and Whereas, The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, considered one of the largest and most prosperous congregations of African Americans, was among the earliest purchasers of that land, followed by members of the church; and Whereas, During the 1850s, the community consisted of over 225 people of whom approximately two-thirds were African American, making it the largest concentration of Black property owners in New York City ("City") at the time; and Whereas, Structures built within Seneca Village included over 50 homes, 3 churches, as well as burial grounds, sheds, barns, stables, and a school; and Whereas, Seneca Village offered African Americans an opportunity to own property, which in turn provided the opportunity for the right to vote during a period when this was very uncommon among African Americans; and Whereas, According to the Central Park Conservancy, of the 100 African American New Yorkers eligible to vote in 1845, 10 lived in Seneca Village; and Whereas, As the City's population continued to grow, civic-minded philanthropists and elected officials sought to construct a park that would provide residents with more green space for recreational activities to escape crowded and unhealthy conditions; and Whereas, In 1853, the New York State legislature authorized the City to purchase 775 acres of land through eminent domain, which allows the government legal authority to seize private property and convert it into public use, to construct Central Park from 59th Street to 106th Street between 5th and 8th Avenues; and Whereas, Despite many objections and petitions being filed by Seneca Village landowners in New York State Supreme Court, the site for Central Park officially became the property of the City in February 1856; and Whereas, Residents of Seneca Village lost their homes, churches, school, and land, which also meant the loss of voting rights that came with land ownership; and Whereas, Researchers have not found any photographs of Seneca Village and research continues tracing where former residents relocated after their displacement, however in 2011, an archaeological excavation of the site found household items used by Seneca Village residents; and Whereas, Although Central Park is considered a world-class destination with more than 42 million visitors each year, many are unaware of the park's history; and Whereas, Seneca Village has a rich history that needs to be further explored and preserved to educate not only visitors of Central Park, but also the public in general through educational initiatives and programming; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York recognizes the historical significance of Seneca Village. PM LS #24255 7/20/26 2