Underground Railroad Hearing Set For Tomorrow
The clock is ticking over on Duffield Street, where the city wants to use eminent domain to seize several houses with strong connections to the Underground Railroad of the 19th Century in order to create a parking lot and public plaza. To review, the ESDC hired consulting firm AKRF to produce a report refuting preservationists’…

The clock is ticking over on Duffield Street, where the city wants to use eminent domain to seize several houses with strong connections to the Underground Railroad of the 19th Century in order to create a parking lot and public plaza. To review, the ESDC hired consulting firm AKRF to produce a report refuting preservationists’ claims that slaves were once spirited through tunnels (like this one in Lewis Greenstein’s basement) in the basements of the houses at numbers 223 through 235 Duffield Street. The report’s flaws have been reported ad nauseum, to the point that it’s hard to believe the city hasn’t just tossed it in the garbage. All the controversy will come to a head tomorrow at a HPD hearing at the Klitford Auditorium of City College of Technology at 285 Jay Street at 10 am. Those fighting to save the houses are seeking prominent historians and African American leaders to assist in the cause. Anyone interested in helping or testifying can contact Barbara Skinner at barbara_skinner AT hotmail DOT com.
Photo by no land grab
If these homes were a nesting place for some rare bird, there would be more outrage at losing them to emminent domain than the fact that they were probably used by abolitionists on the “underground railroad.” We find it easier to empathize with animals than with people, whether they are Black, Jewish, or other. No one is asking anyone here to apoligize for slavery which only ended 142 years ago or the holocaust. I am in my early 40’s and can remember when it was legal to discriminate against Blacks and others in transportation, housing, jobs, etc. We have come far but have so far to go. We all inherited the legacy of our forefathers. Some of us reap the benefits whether we choose to acknowledge it or not and some of us the detriments whether we choose to get over it or not.
I am most assuredly not a “mythical Scandinavian figure who lives in a cave or under a bridge,” although parts of my home might suggest otherwise. I am, however, dead serious about seeing the involvement of Messr. Barron as a red flag in this debate and a blow to its credibility. If the houses are indeed set atop remnants of the URR [an argument whose merits I have not studied], it is a shame that they are being used for cheap and divisive political capital by one of the city’s least savory public servants.
Pardon me now, my cave needs a good spring cleaning.
The commments by resident are confusing: if you support the importance of remembering the history of slavery, why the comment, “I’m sick and tired of hearing that white people have to make restitution for something that happened 400 years ago”? Slavery ended not even 150 years ago. And that is not that long ago in an historical sense (not to mention that the following 100 years were worse for black people in America in many ways). The “whiner” wasn’t saying the holocaust is unimportant, but rather, considering the vastly larger number of Africans who died during the slave trade, the memory of those who were affected deserves more of our collective attention.
From page 11 of the report: “Based on property deeds from the Brooklyn City Register, tax assessment records from the New York City Municipal Archives, various historical maps available at the Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, and the Brooklyn City Clerk’s office, and indexed online records of the New York City Department of Buildings (actual files could not be located by the Department of Buildings), all of the buildings on Duffield Street appear to have been constructed between 1846 and 1850. The building on Gold Street/Albee Square appears to have been constructed
between 1855 and 1865.”
1:45, there is nothing wrong with on-line research except for the laziness of the researcher. The report is linked above and anybody who actually wanted to know when the buildings were constructed could have found it in a couple minutes. Conjecture and innuendo takes only seconds, however.
Regardless of the status of these homes vis-a-vis the abolitionist movement, I can’t help but completely agree that the use of eminent domain here is ridiculous. The scope of what falls within the ambit of eminent domain has gotten way out of control, and that’s something any property owner anywhere should be concerned about.
Brenda made some good points – although I can’t stand Barron or Sharpton, who never met a media hype he didn’t like- it’s possible the opposite is true. Barron got involved because there is truth to the historical issue and he wants good press.
To the whiner comparing the Holocaust and slavery- funny, I’m sick and tired of hearing that white people have to make restitution for something that happened 400 years ago, and it might also benefit you to remember that slavery was outlawed in the States duirng the Civil War. It still exists today in parts of the world, including Africa. would you like to compare double standards?
For the record, I think it is hugely important to preserve the houses on Duffield St.- not for the houses but for the underground tunnels and the important of the Underground Railway to American history. You either get it or you don’t. Same thing for the ignoramus who doesn’t understand the importance of the Holocaust. If you’re too stupid to get it, your loss.
As far as the dates of the houses- isn’t it possible or probable that some were built on existing foundations of the original Underground railway homes?
Which of course goes back to the problem with unfettered use of eminent domain- for a parking lot and public plaza? Homeowners and taxpayers who actually contribute to the community and economy should lose their homes to that? So much for rights in this country- you can carry a gun but not keep your house. Yeah- makes perfect sense.
THe houses in question date to the 1840’s. Naturally the storefronts and other additions are of a later in date.
e.m.i.n.e.n.t. d.o.m.a.i.n is being used to destroy these homes (does anyone see a correlation)? brenda from flatbush is a troll.
Is it lack of documents that causes other dates, such as 1920, as well?
Honestly, I just want to know how this is done. The 1899 thing makes sense – no one knows, so put *something* in the box. But even if they’re guessing at 1915, 1920, there must be a reason they picked those dates and not just falling back on 1899. Right?