We’ve always been determined to help New York’s recovery and we’re grateful that we can support the City with our programs during these challenging times. We’ve now given out $3.7 million in loans and grants since March. That has leveraged $32 million in total preservation projects and created local jobs.
Frederick Douglass Memorial Park in Staten Island received our most recent Emergency Grant. The Memorial Park is an 85-year-old African American cemetery, created when many cemeteries segregated burials by race. It encompasses 57 acres on rolling hills in the center of the Borough.
Severe storms shredded the roof on the administration building, which also contains the cemetery archives. Our $11,000 grant will help repair the damage.
Founder Rodney Dade, a Harlem undertaker, named the cemetery in honor of the 19th-century abolitionist and orator because he considered Douglass “the greatest man of my race.” A memorial to Douglass greets visitors near the front gate.
This is our fourth Staten Island Emergency Grant since March. Others have helped repairs at an 1834 home owned by Historic Richmond Town, the Noble Maritime Collection at Snug Harbor, and the city-owned former home of Frederick Law Olmsted.
We’ve always worked on Staten Island. But I think we’ve developed an even greater appreciation of the Borough’s historic resources over the past several months.
Peg Breen, President
The New York Landmarks Conservancy