Black History Comes Alive at State Parks and Historic Sites
February is Black History Month and PTNY is honoring the invaluable contributions Black groups and individuals have made—and continue to make—to our state. Parks and historic sites that celebrate African American contributions to New York’s rich heritage offer many opportunities to explore black history. Here are a just a few to spark your interest and get you planning your next trip!
- Fort Montgomery State Historic Site: Did you know that one of the few known Black soldiers to fight in the Revolutionary War fought at the battle that took place at the Fort?
Richard Pierpoint, also known as ‘Captain Dick,’ was a formerly enslaved man who served in the British army. During the American Revolution he took the opportunity offered to slaves of enlisting in the British forces and gaining their freedom. By 1780, Pierpoint was one of about a dozen Africans fighting with the Butler's Rangers regiment. On October 6, 1777, a combined force of roughly 2,100 Loyalists, Hessians, and British regulars led by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton attacked forts Montgomery and Clinton. By the end of the day, both forts had fallen to the British, who burned the forts and tore down the stonework buildings.
- Crailo State Historic Site: Have you ever heard of the religious holiday, Pinkster?
Crailo State Historic Site is a museum of colonial Dutch heritage along the Hudson River in Rensselaer. Pinkster – the Dutch word for the religious holiday of Pentecost– was celebrated in colonial New York and is the oldest and first documented celebration enjoyed by enslaved and freed Africans. Past celebrations at Crailo State Historic Site and Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site in Albany have helped spread the word about this important historical event which documented early African cultural expression in our state. Pinkster celebrations describe African drumming and other cultural expressions of Africanism used to uplift spirits of the enslaved during a time of rest before the summer planting season. This celebration also helped maintain cultural links between family and friends, even as they lived under the burden of slavery.
- National Purple Heart Hall of Honor: Did you know this national museum is in New Windsor, New York?
The mission of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is to collect, preserve, and share the stories of all Purple Heart recipients. Either in-person or online, you can learn about our brave servicemen and women, including men like Ensign Jesse L. Brown, the first Korean War African American naval aviator. Brown enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1946, becoming a midshipman, and in 1949 he was assigned to Fighter Squadron 32 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Leyte. Brown flew 20 combat missions before his aircraft came under fire and crashed on a remote mountain top while supporting ground troops at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. For his actions in Korea leading up to his death, Brown was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart Medal, and the Air Medal.
- Jones Beach State Park: Did you know that Jones Beach is made up of more than 2,400-acres of maritime environment on the south shore of Long Island?
The newly opened Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center features the inspiring story of an amazing 100-year-old National Parks Ranger Betty Reid Soskin, whose story is showcased in a film entitled “No Time To Waste: The Urgent Mission of Betty Reid Soskin.” The film shares the inspiring life, work, and urgent mission of Betty to restore missing African American chapters of America’s story. She became a ranger with the National Park Service in 2007 at the age of 85 and has since served as an interpreter at Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, which she helped establish in 2000.
The contributions and legacy of black and brown New Yorkers is all around us, especially in our parks, historic sites and public lands. New York State Parks has launched a number of initiatives, such as All Are Welcome and Our Whole History, to not only make all visitors feel included in our public lands, but better incorporate the diverse stories that make up our state's rich history.
If you want to learn more about the places highlighted here, or find some inspiring black history close to home, consider downloading the free NY State Parks Explorer App, which has a curated list of parks and sites at which to celebrate Black History Month.
Exploring New York's Black History - NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
Reviving A Dutch Holiday with African Flavor | New York State Parks Blog
National Purple Heart Hall of Honor
Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center