Weeksville Restoration Complete, Historic Site Preserved

Hunterfly Road Houses at the Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn fully restored after $4 million project

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) and the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced the completion of a $4 million restoration of the historic Hunterfly Road Houses at the Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn. The 18-month project preserved four wood-frame homes built in the 19th century that stand as the last remaining structures of one of the nation's largest free Black communities before the Civil War.

Why it matters

The Weeksville community was founded in 1848 by a formerly enslaved man and grew to over 500 residents, serving as a haven for Black New Yorkers seeking opportunity and safety. The Hunterfly Road Houses are the only African American historic site in the Northeast located on its original site, and their preservation helps maintain a vital part of the city's Black history and culture.

The details

The restoration project included work on the exterior of the houses, such as the façades, siding, windows, doors and front-entry porches. It also installed a climate-controlled storage room and upgraded the plumbing, lighting, fire alarm system, and security monitoring. The $4 million in funding came from the NYC Mayor's Office, the Brooklyn Borough President, and the New York City Council.

  • Construction began in fall 2024.
  • The project was completed in February 2026, two months ahead of schedule.

The players

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who announced the completion of the restoration project.

New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA)

The city agency that partnered with the Department of Design and Construction on the restoration project.

New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC)

The city agency that partnered with the Department of Cultural Affairs on the restoration project.

Weeksville Heritage Center

The organization that operates the historic Hunterfly Road Houses and serves as a vibrant cultural space for the community.

Dr. Raymond Codrington

The president and CEO of the Weeksville Heritage Center.

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What they’re saying

“Weeksville tells the story of Black New Yorkers who built freedom for themselves in a country that tried to deny them it. It was a sanctuary that offered safety, dignity, and opportunity in the face of economic injustice and systemic racism. It was nearly erased by urban renewal. By restoring the Hunterfly Road Houses, we are preserving not just historic buildings but a living legacy of resilience and self-determination.”

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (Mirage News)

“Weeksville is a treasured part of our city's cultural community, an organization that both preserves an important part of our city's Black story and keeps it alive, relevant, and vital for future generations.”

— Alton Murray, DCLA Deputy Commissioner (Mirage News)

“This project was designed and completed with the greatest respect for the legacy of this community and this important part of the City's African American history.”

— Eduardo del Valle, Department of Design and Construction Acting Commissioner (Mirage News)

“The restoration of the Hunterfly Road Houses is a major milestone for Weeksville and for Brooklyn's cultural landscape. We are deeply grateful to our partners at the City of New York, including the Mayor's Office, the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Brooklyn Borough President's Office, the New York City Council, and the Department of Design and Construction, for making this work possible and helping ensure these historic homes are preserved for generations to come.”

— Dr. Raymond Codrington, President and CEO of Weeksville Heritage Center (Mirage News)

“The Hunterfly Road Houses in Weeksville are a cornerstone of Brooklyn's African American history. This restoration ensures that Weeksville Heritage Center can continue educating and empowering Brooklynites while preserving the legacy of one of the largest free Black communities.”

— Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Borough President (Mirage News)

What’s next

The Weeksville Heritage Center plans to continue hosting a variety of educational and cultural programs in the restored Hunterfly Road Houses, further preserving and sharing the history of this important community.

The takeaway

The completion of the Weeksville restoration project is a significant victory in the ongoing effort to preserve and celebrate the history and legacy of Black communities in New York City. By safeguarding these historic structures, the city is ensuring that the story of Weeksville and its residents will continue to inspire and educate future generations.