Black-Owned Farms in the Bronx and Westchester in the Early 1800s

This talk by historian J. Keith Doherty will focus on a number of early farms in the Bronx and Lower Westchester that were owned by free Black men during the era of Gradual Emancipation, when slavery was slowly being abolished (1799-1827). Though several Black-owned farms existed in the rural environs of the city at the time, nearly all have been forgotten by history. This talk is an attempt to shed light on a long-buried chapter in our local history when Black men—many of whom had been enslaved in their youth—rose to become successful businessmen. In addition to being one of the only ways of gaining genuine financial independence, land ownership was critical for Black men as the sole means of acquiring suffrage, due to a racist mandate in the state constitution that required them to possess at least $250 worth of property to vote.

J. Keith Doherty is a former Professor of History and Art History at Boston University, where he earned his doctorate and taught for 14 years. Since returning to his native New York in 2012, he has authored several articles and a short book on the early history of the Bronx and Westchester, with a special focus on Black-owned farms in the area at the turn of the nineteenth century (1799-1850). In addition to his academic work, he is a researcher and educator at the Philipse Manor Hall, the VCHM’s architectural “twin” in Yonkers, and leads tours of various parts of Manhattan for the Big Onion touring company.

Admission is free, but registration is suggested as space is limited.

Accessibility:

This event will be held in the museum's educational space (herb cellar), which is accessed using stairs. This lecture will also be available to attend virtually. Virtual registration information to follow.

Language:

This lecture will be delivered in English.

Getting here:

Public Transportation:

• Subway: #1 to 242nd Street Station, then walk north on Broadway to the tree-lined pedestrian path leading into the park.
• Bus: Bx9 to West 246th Street and Broadway, then walk into the park on the tree-lined pedestrian path leading into the park.
• BxM3 Express Bus to 246th Street and Broadway, then walk into the park on the tree-lined pedestrian path leading into the park.
• Metro-North Hudson River Line to Marble Hill Station, transfer to the Bx9 bus or #1 subway as above.
  

By Car:

VCHM is located at 246th & Broadway within Van Cortlandt Park.

Address for GPS: 6036 Broadway, Bronx, NY

Parking:
You can park in Van Cortlandt Park's free parking lot, which is a 5 minute walk on park trails from the museum () or you can pay for metered street-parking on Broadway ().

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Van Cortlandt House Museum, 6036 Broadway, Van Cortlandt Park, The Bronx, United States