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Weeksville Heritage Center

An essential historic site in Central Brooklyn, preserving the legacy of one of America's first free Black communities and featuring restored 19th-century wood-frame homes.

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Weeksville Heritage Center
www.weeksvillesociety.org, og_image_www.weeksvillesociety.org

What is the Weeksville Heritage Center known for?

It is an historic site and cultural center in Central Brooklyn dedicated to preserving the history of Weeksville, one of America's first free Black communities.

What are the hours?

The center is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Is it free?

General admission to the site is free and open to the public, though guided tours have separate costs.

How much do guided tours cost?

Guided tours cost $10 for adults and $8 for children and seniors.

How do I book a tour?

Guided tours require pre-registration and must be booked at least 48 hours in advance, with payment made online only.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

The Weeksville Heritage Center is a cultural hub in Central Brooklyn dedicated to the history of Weeksville, one of the nation's largest pre-Civil War free Black communities. Founded in 1848 by James Weeks, a formerly enslaved man from Virginia, the settlement was an intentional landowning community designed to provide safety and opportunity for Black New Yorkers. By the 1850s, the population had grown to over 500 residents, and the site served as a critical refuge during periods of racist violence, such as the 1863 Manhattan Draft Riots. At the heart of the site are the Hunterfly Road Houses, four 19th-century wood-frame homes that are the last remaining structures of the original settlement. These houses are rare surviving examples of homes of free people of color in the urban North and are the only African American historic site in the Northeast located on its original site. They were rediscovered by local preservationists in 1968 and were designated as a New York City Landmark in 1970 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Recent efforts to preserve this legacy have culminated in a $4 million restoration project completed in February 2026. The center also features an 18,000-square-foot education and cultural arts building designed by Caples Jefferson Architects, which opened in 2014. This modern facility provides state-of-the-art exhibition and performance spaces, while the center continues to host yoga classes, film screenings, and intergenerational events to carry forward the spirit of self-determination that defined the original settlement.

Visitor tips

  • Book guided tours at least 48 hours in advance via the website; payment is made online only.
  • Remember that only visitors on guided tours are permitted to enter the Hunterfly Road Houses.
  • General admission to the grounds is free and open to the public.
  • Plan your visit for Tuesday through Saturday, as the center is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Nearby context

Located in the heart of Central Brooklyn, the Weeksville Heritage Center serves as a landmark of Black history and community resilience in the neighborhoods of Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Sources

Evidence and links