Sandy Ground Historical Museum facts for kids
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| Location | 1538 Woodrow Rd Staten Island, New York City |
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The Sandy Ground Historical Museum is a special place in Staten Island, New York City. It teaches us about the oldest community in the United States where free African Americans lived without being enslaved. This museum has the biggest collection of items and stories about African American culture and history from Staten Island. It might even have the only old African cemetery from the 1700s that is still complete in America. The museum was temporarily closed for maintenance in February 2023, but it continues its important work.
The Sandy Ground Historical Society runs the museum. They hold a yearly festival to celebrate black history, culture, and freedom. The museum is also approved by the New York State Department of Education. It helps both kids and adults learn about Sandy Ground through tours, exhibits, fun activities like arts and crafts, and talks. About 10,000 people visit or learn from Sandy Ground's programs each year. The museum also keeps old items from the town's early days. These include art, quilts, letters, photos, films, and rare books.
History of Sandy Ground Community
How Sandy Ground Started
Within Rossville is a very old community called Sandy Ground. It is one of the oldest communities in the United States that is still around today. Free African Americans founded it before the American Civil War. The first time an African American bought land there was on February 23, 1828. This was just a few months after slavery was ended in New York.
Sandy Ground was first called Harrisville. Then its name changed to Little Africa. Finally, it became Sandy Ground because the land was not very good for farming. Many of the old buildings in the community are still standing. Five of them are even special New York City landmarks. These include a church, a cemetery, and three homes. Some people who live there today are descendants of the original families.
Life in Sandy Ground
After slavery in New York was abolished in 1827, people who were freed from slavery settled in the area. This area had been known as Sandy Ground since colonial times. It is located around where Bloomingdale and Woodrow Roads meet in Rossville today. These first settlers were very good at the oyster trade. They brought their skills with them to Staten Island.
Oyster harvesting on Staten Island mostly happened on the island's south shore. Prince's Bay was a main center for this work. It was also close enough to walk to from Sandy Ground. Sandy Ground was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom. Sandy Ground is the oldest free black community in the United States that has been continuously settled. Oyster farming stopped around 1916. This was because the water in the harbor became too polluted.
The records of the Sandy Ground African Methodist Church go back to 1850.
See also
- List of museums focused on African Americans
- List of historical societies in New York (state)
