Undergound RR: Consultants Caught In Another Lie
The latest in a series of holes-you-could-drive-a-truck-through in the credibility of the ESDC-sponsored report that made the case against preserving the row of houses on Duffield Street with credible links to the Underground Railroad in Brooklyn? The consultants hacks who wrote the report, AKRF, claimed that the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) had…
The latest in a series of holes-you-could-drive-a-truck-through in the credibility of the ESDC-sponsored report that made the case against preserving the row of houses on Duffield Street with credible links to the Underground Railroad in Brooklyn? The consultants hacks who wrote the report, AKRF, claimed that the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) had ruled that the houses were not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places when in fact the Office had never been asked to make determination. According to a press release from City Council Member Letitia James, the only contact AKRF ever had with SHPO was an information request about whether the state agency had anything existing in their files about the Duffield Street houses; the consultants misrepresented a negative response to this question as an explicit rejection of the houses’ eligibility. As a result of the purposefully misleading actions, James has called for a halt to any proceedings relating to the seizure of the properties through eminent domain. In the meantime, as we understand it, anyone wanting to put a statement on record with HPD has until May 30.
Underground Railroad Hearing Set For Tomorrow [Brownstoner] GMAP
but it hasn’t yet been established that the report that AKRF submitted was ‘the truth’. In fact, many people see a whole slew of inconsistencies. Some have even argued that facts and testimonials that were included in the initial interviews were ‘deleted’ from the final report.
but it hasn’t yet been established that the report that AKRF submitted was ‘the truth’. In fact, many people see a whole slew of inconsistencies. Some have even argued that facts and testimonials that were included in the initial interviews were ‘deleted’ from the final report.
Tish James rules.
10:41 … preserving an important part of our nation’s history does not require that it become a “tourist attraction” or that there be a return on the investment towards that preservation. we want it to be a public place, and possibly (i say possibly) self-supporting. but, ultimately, we preserve it because it is part of who we are as a nation, a reminder of our past. and, in this case, a hidden part of our past, which makes it even more important preserve. we live in a time where an awful lot of people need to be reminded of the roots of our national identity. you can’t put a price on something like that. economically, it probably makes far more sense to develop it. what’s ultimately done says a lot about our priorities as a city.
and, by the way, i think the undeground railroad example is quite different in signifcance from the WTC site (no offense to the families here … but it just is).
“the second largest known independent African American community in pre-Civil War America”
So it’s quite likely that some of the runaway slaves that went through the Underground Railroad Safehouses (if they are legitimate safehouses) eventually settled in the Weeksville community of freed African Americans (before slavery was abolished).
I agree with 10:41. How many people here have ever visited any of these sites?
http://www.heritageny.gov/Maps/mapNysUR.cfm?topic=ur
There’s also the fact that the report says that they are NOT underground railroad sites. I would think people interested in preserving history would be interested in the truth.
If the Underground Railroad Safehouses are indeed legitimate and part of the abolitionist movement, I believe there would be some historical draw for tourists. Especially if we tied these safehouses to lets say a tour of the homes in Weeksville that were a part of “the second largest known independent African American community in pre-Civil War America” (quote from http://www.weeksvillesociety.org/node/3)
10:31, there is only so much any politician, or for that matter, any other citizen, can do when the deck is stacked so firmly against you. I don’t see the war in Iraq ending anytime soon, for example. Considering politics tends to draw the more egotistical and power hungry among us, it’s a welcome change to see someone who is actually out there pounding the pavement, no matter how effective some may perceive her to be. Better to tilt against windmills, than sit in your office being wooed by lobbyists all day.
not this property but across street from is this mention of development in NYPost today-
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05242007/news/regionalnews/bklyn_biz_is_razing_big_stink_regionalnews_rich_calder.htm
As to issue of this site- it is difficult to consider possibilities and realities. You do have to wonder why all this outcry now about the significance when for decades a dreary commercial street. Someone mentioned a potential ‘tourist attraction’. How likely and viable is that? (as where would this money come from and do you really think it can take in money after 1st year). With all the historical sites in NYC, how often do you folks visit them? Is there a more documented and significant example of underground railroad that exists in NYC now that would be better site for some sort of museum site.
I guess I’m weary of can’t touch anything because of connection to history – or because ‘sacred ground’ a.k.a. WTC.