A $4 million restoration project has been completed at the Hunterfly Road Houses, part of the Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn. The initiative, led by Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani along with the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) and the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), focused on preserving four 19th-century wood-frame homes. These structures are among the last remnants of Weeksville, a historically significant free Black community established before the Civil War.
The construction started in fall 2024 and finished in February 2026, two months ahead of schedule. The restored houses are considered vital to maintaining the legacy of Black self-determination and resilience in New York City.
“Weeksville tells the story of Black New Yorkers who built freedom for themselves in a country that tried to deny them it,” said Mayor Mamdani. “It was a sanctuary that offered safety, dignity, and opportunity in the face of economic injustice and systemic racism. It was nearly erased by urban renewal. By restoring the Hunterfly Road Houses, we are preserving not just historic buildings but a living legacy of resilience and self-determination.”
Alton Murray, DCLA Deputy Commissioner, highlighted Weeksville’s role as both a preserver and active participant in Black history: “Weeksville is a treasured part of our city’s cultural community, an organization that both preserves an important part of our city’s Black story and keeps it alive, relevant, and vital for future generations. Together with our partners at DDC, DCLA is proud of our support for this important project to restore the historic Hunterfly Road Houses so they can continue to anchor Weeksville’s extraordinary mission and tell a key part of our city’s Black history.”
Eduardo del Valle, Acting Commissioner for DDC, commented on completing work ahead of schedule: “This project was designed and completed with the greatest respect for the legacy of this community and this important part of the City’s African American history. We are proud to have finished the restoration two months ahead of schedule, and to be able to celebrate the completion of this project for the center, the largest African American cultural institution in Brooklyn, during Black History Month.”
Dr. Raymond Codrington, President and CEO of Weeksville Heritage Center stated: “The restoration of the Hunterfly Road Houses is a major milestone for Weeksville and for Brooklyn’s cultural landscape. We are deeply grateful to our partners at the City of New York, including the Mayor’s Office, the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office, the New York City Council, and the Department of Design and Construction, for making this work possible and helping ensure these historic homes are preserved for generations to come.”
NYC Chief Equity Officer Afua Atta-Mensah added: “I am proud to celebrate the restoration of the Hunterfly Road Houses at the Weeksville Heritage Center. Weeksville stands as a testament to Black self-determination, resilience, and cultural excellence in the face of systemic exclusion. We must ensure that preservation and growth move forward together, strengthening rather than displacing the communities that shaped our city. This restoration safeguards more than historic structures; it preserves a legacy of freedom, community-building, and possibility that continues to shape and inspire New York City’s future.”
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said: “The Hunterfly Road Houses in Weeksville are a cornerstone of Brooklyn’s African American history. This restoration ensures that Weeksville Heritage Center can continue educating and empowering Brooklynites while preserving the legacy of one of the largest free Black communities. Thank you to DCLA and DDC for working to safeguard this vital part of our borough’s history.”
Assemblymember Latrice Walker acknowledged contributions from various offices: “The completion of the 18-month project to renovate the historic Hunterfly Road Houses ––the cornerstone of The Weeksville Heritage Center site––is worthy celebration,” she said. She noted her office allocated $2 million toward ongoing work at Weeksville since Dr. Raymond Codrington became president in 2021; Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced an additional $1 million state investment.
Founded by James Weeks—a formerly enslaved man—in 1848 alongside other free Black men from Virginia seeking safety from discrimination prevalent elsewhere in New York City at that time—Weeksville grew into one such refuge especially during crises like Manhattan’s 1863 Draft Riots.
Today’s center continues educational outreach through public programs such as yoga classes or art exhibitions meant not only honor its origins but engage local residents across generations.
Restoration efforts included exterior repairs (façades/siding/windows/doors/porches), installation climate-controlled storage space within cellar help preserve historical artifacts improved plumbing lighting fire alarms CCTV systems throughout property—all supported funding provided jointly via NYC Mayor Office/Borough Presidency/City Council.
Rediscovered by preservationists during urban renewal campaigns late-1960s—designated landmark status shortly thereafter—the site remains unique Northeast United States still occupying original location.
