African American Heritage Trail of Westchester County
The African American Heritage Trail of Westchester County in New York was created in 2004 to help preserve and interpret the historic landmark places that help tell the narratives of women and men of African descent who have made significant contributions to an American identity. Westchester County historian and Schulman History Honoree Larry Spruill was lead consultant and researcher for the project.
History
The trail was created under the auspices of the African American Advisory Board of Westchester County currently chaired by Barbara Edwards. Associated AAAB events like the annual Trailblazer Awards each February and other programs and exhibits are regularly hosted at several of the 14 sites.
Sites
The trail includes 14 heritage destination sites as of 2020:
Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site - 897 South Columbus Avenue, Mount Vernon, New York. This landmark, managed by the National Park Service, is the site of thousands of burials of African American men and women. Programs conducted here reflect the contributions of enslaved and free families to the surrounding community along Eastchester Creek. Church records include notations which are helpful for genealogical research purposes.
Jay Estate - 210 Boston Post Road, Rye, New York. The ancestral home of John Jay and the Jay family was also the residence of enslaved and freed men and women of African descent. Programs and school tours focus on the abolition of slavery in New York and Civil Rights as well as John Jay's anti-slavery efforts including work with the NY Manumission Society and passage of NY's Gradual Emancipation Act while Governor. Educational programs and exhibits interpret the lives of enslaved men and women who lived and worked at "The Locusts" including Caesar Valentine, Mary and Clarinda; several are buried in unmarked graves on the original property. The 23-acre park is operated by the non-profit Jay Heritage Center.
The Rye African-American Cemetery - 215 North Street, Rye, New York. There are at least 300 known burials at this 1860 National Historic Register including African American veterans of the Civil War. It is maintained by the non-profit Friends of the Rye African American Cemetery. Associated programs and a large 3 paneled kiosk trace the lives of free 19th and 20th century individuals of African descent who lived and worked in the Town of Rye, Mamaroneck and Scarsdale including Charles and Harriett Seely Purdy, the Brown Family, the Petersen family and their descendants. The site hosts annual observations at Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Stony Hill Cemetery - Buckout Road, Harrison, Harrison, New York. This 18th century burial ground is noted for over 200 burials of free black residents from an area called "The Hills" of Harrison including a dozen African American veterans of the Civil War. The land was originally donated by the Quaker Church to enslaved people who had been freed. The property is associated with Mount Hope African American Zion Church.
Ella Fitzgerald Statue - 5 Buena Vista Avenue, Yonkers, New York; Ella Fitzgerald, a renowned jazz singer, grew up in Westchester. This statue commemorating her contributions to American music was created by African American artist Vinny Bagwell.
Jack Peterson Memorial - Croton, New York, named for Revolutionary war patriot John Jacob "Rifle Jack" Peterson. Peterson's act of heroism was declared a pivotal moment that led to the capture of Major Andre.
Villa Lewaro - Irvington, New York; historic residence of African American businesswoman and cosmetics pioneer Madame C. J. Walker; privately owned, not open to the public.
