Telling the Full Story: Reinterpreting History in New York

Marginalized groups have systematically been erased from the narrative surrounding many historic sites. As we work to embrace a fuller picture of whose history we save and whose stories we amplify, a lot of work is being done to reexamine historic sites with a racial equity lens. A colonial farmhouse might have originally been preserved because of its association with Dutch settlers, but what about the enslaved people who lived and worked there? They are just as integral to the American story. A historic farmhouse might be a stunning example of Georgian architecture, but what about the Indigenous people who were displaced to build it? When we talk about any historic site built in America, it is always built on land taken from native peoples.

As we continue to think about the issue of telling the full story, we wanted to invite a group together to talk about the work they are doing to address their own sites and collections. On the east end of Long Island, Sylvester Manor Educational Farm has been committed to shining a light on all the people who lived and worked on the site, from the native Manhansett who were displaced, the European settlers who established the plantation, and the enslaved Africans they kept in bondage. Dyckman Farmhouse Museum in upper Manhattan preserves the history of the Dyckman family, Dutch settlers who arrived in New Amsterdam in the 1600s. But through varied programming including visual arts exhibitions, critical conversations about race, and urban farming, DFM is telling a more complete story and connecting with their community in the process. In the Hudson Valley, Historic Hugueot Street was originally established to preserve the history of French Huguenot settlers and extant homes from the 1700s. In recent years they have also made a concerted effort to recognize the Indigenous Esopus Munsee whose land they occupy. And on a statewide level, the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation is working to reinterpret historic sites and parks in every corner of the state.

Many thanks to Donnamarie Barnes, Meredith Horsford, Liselle LaFrance, and Lavada Nahon for sharing their expertise with us, and to League Trustee Suzanne Clary for moderating a fantastic group discussion.

This event was part of our Future of Preservation webinar series, and was presented in partnership with Museum Association of New York. Thank you to our program sponsor, the Peggy N. & Roger G. Gerry Charitable Trust.

Donnamarie Barnes has spent over thirty years working in the editorial photography field as a photographer and photo editor for publications such as People and Essence Magazines and as an editor at the Gamma Liaison photo agency. A life-long summer and full-time resident of Ninevah in the SANS Community in Sag Harbor, Donnamarie grew up photographing the community and the beach landscape. She curated a highly-acclaimed historic tintype photography exhibition in 2015 at the Eastville Community Historical Society entitled Collective Identity. Donnamarie began working at Sylvester Manor Educational Farm in 2014 as a volunteer and history docent and in 2016 joined the staff as Curator & Archivist. Over the past three years she has curated the exhibitions Women of the Manor, A Place in Pictures, and All That Has Been: Our Roots Revealed. Her work uncovering the lives and identities of the enslaved and indigenous people of Sylvester Manor is ongoing and is an integral part of the Manor's mission to preserve, cultivate and share the stories of all the people of Sylvester Manor.

Meredith Sorin Horsford has served as the Executive Director of the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum since 2015, where she leads her team toward creative and inclusive programming and interpretation with a community focused perspective. In 2019, she spearheaded an extensive research project on the enslaved and free Black men and women that were instrumental in the prosperity of the Dyckman Farm. Her goal at the museum is to connect the past with the present through programs such as a reoccurring race lecture series, contemporary art installations highlighting the Black experience in America and urban agricultural programs.

Horsford has worked as a museum and nonprofit professional for 16 years, working previously as the Executive Director of the Gracie Mansion Conservancy, the official mayoral residence, and prior to that, Deputy Director of the Historic House Trust of New York City.

She holds a Master of Arts in Geography from the University of Delaware, a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the State University of New York College at Geneseo and a certificate in Grantmaking and Foundations from New York University. Horsford also serves as the President of the Board of Directors for the Greater Hudson Heritage Network.

Before joining Historic Huguenot Street in 2017 as its executive director, Liselle LaFrance was director of Historic Cherry Hill in Albany, and prior to that Program Director and then Assistant Director of the Federation of Historical Services in Troy, New York. She is a peer reviewer for the Accreditation Program of the American Alliance of Museums, and has also served as a panelist for the New York Council for the Humanities, the New Jersey Historical Commission, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Lavada Nahon is the interpreter of African American history for OPRHP-Bureau of Historic Sites, and a culinary historian focused on the 17th-19th century mid-Atlantic region, with an emphasis on the work of enslaved cooks in the homes of the elite class. She is also a generalist in 19th-20th century African American history. She has more than 18 years of public history experience working with a variety of historic sites, societies, and museums across the tri-state region. Lavada has developed educational programs, after-school programs, lectures and tours, period presentations, and historic dinners for sites ranging from the New York Historical Society, Albany Institute of Art and History, Dyckman Farm House Museum, Johnson Hall, and many more. She worked as a museum associate and educator for Historic Hudson Valley for 12 years at Van Cortlandt Manor and Philipsburg Manor Upper Mills, and for three years as a production coordinator for their special events team. Her mission is to bring history to life by giving presence to the Africans and people of African descent enslaved and free in the landmass that was once New Netherland/New York in whatever way possible. For more information please visit lavadanahon.com.

Suzanne Clary is a member of the Preservation League of New York State’s Board of Trustees and serves as Co-Chair of the League’s leadership giving group the Excelsior Society. She currently serves as President of the Jay Heritage Center in Rye, NY. During her tenure, the Jay Estate, childhood home of Founding Father John Jay, was awarded a prestigious place on the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area list because of its sustainable practices in architectural and landscape preservation. A Yale graduate with a B.A. in Art History, Suzanne has been recognized by the Garden Club of America with two Historic Preservation Awards. She is a past recipient of a Visionary Award from the African American Men’s Association of Westchester for increasing access to programs about African American heritage and cultural diversity. She is also a member of the Steering Committee for the Friends of American Art at Yale University and the Stewardship Council of The Cultural Landscape Foundation.