The Landmarks Conservancy was recently featured in The New York Times for our work with the Brooklyn chapter of the United Order of Tents. The Tents are a secret society of African American women that dates to 1847 when two formerly enslaved women formed the benevolent society to foster community and care for Black women and children. The Tents own a free-standing Italianate villa in the Stuyvesant Heights Historic District. When one of the building’s walls was severely bulging in 2014, the Conservancy helped the Tents engage a structural engineer and contractor that specialize in historic preservation. Sadly, the Tents have been victimized by dishonest real estate developers and contractors in recent years, and the property again needs significant repairs.
Since the publication of the Times article, people across the country have offered monetary and professional support. In a matter of days, the timely restoration of the building has become feasible. Silman, a leading engineering firm, has prepared a pro bono conditions assessment of the Tents Building and Think Wilder Architecture has volunteered architectural services. The Conservancy’s technical director and an attorney from Legal Aid are coordinating the project planning, which is now moving along swiftly.
Look for more coverage of this story on CBS News on February 2nd.
