The Seneca Village Project is dedicated to the study of a 19th -century African-American and Irish-immigrant community that was located intoday's Central Park in New York City. The goal of the project is to conduct further research on the site and to commemorate it in an educational context. The Seneca Village Project includes several integrated components: archaeological and archival research and education.

Seneca Village existed from 1825 through 1857. It was located between 82nd and 89th Streets and Seventh and Eighth Avenues. Today, this area is part of Central Park. Seneca Village was Manhattan's first significant community of African American property owners. By the 1840s, it had become a multi-ethnic community African Americans, Irish, and German immigrants, and perhaps a few Native Americans. In 1855, the New York State Census reported approximately 264 individuals living in the village. There were three churches, as well as a school and several cemeteries. Within two years, Seneca Village would be razed and its identity erased by the creation of Central Park.

Upcoming Event

The Institute for the Exploration of Seneca Village History invites you to an open house on Wednesday, August 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.at the site of the Seneca Village excavations, 85th St. just inside the Park at Central Park West. We will showcase the students' research and offer walking tours of the excavations.

Rain date: August 25. Please e-mail svp@ccny.cuny.edu with questions.

Update: 2011 Excavation

In the summer of 2011, after more than a decade of research, the Institute for the Exploration of Seneca Village History finally realized its goal of excavating at Seneca Village.

Learn more about the 2011 excavation, and view images and panoramas of the site