Celestial Praise for Seneca Village

The Celestial Praise House for Seneca Village opened on January 16, 2010, just in time for Black History Month. The exhibit features a sculpture, which represents Seneca Village, created by Jose' J. Mapily and Dr. Leslie King-Hammond, two distinguished Maryland-based artists and educators.

What is Seneca Village? Seneca Village was a 19th century predominately African American community situated between 82nd and 89th Streets and Seventh and Eighth Avenues in New York. It was the first time African Americans owned property in 19th century New York. However, due to New Yorkers deep desire for a public park, the state legislature seized their land via eminent domain, turning their residential dream into a nightmare, making it the last African American residential community in New York during the 19th century. Soon after this action was taken, their homes, churches, cemeteries, and a school were razed to make way for the construction of Central Park.

The sculpture, which is the centerpiece of the exhibit, honors their determination to empower themselves economically and politically, an African American man had to own $250 worth of property in order to vote. In addition, the sculpture developed by King-Hammond and Mapily serves to pay deep homage to the residents faith and hope for a better life in a city which abolished slavery shortly after they began to reside in Seneca Village. Adding more symbolism to the sculpture, Mapily designed the celestial praise house to hover over the symbolic village, projecting the faith, hope, and love the residents had to have as their fellow Americans razed their dream.

As you can see, the sculpture says a lot about African American life in Seneca Village during the 19th century. But there is only one way to experience it: by visiting the Banneker-Douglass Museum. Come and explore how the history of Seneca Village inspired and influenced two highly skilled artists to create an exquisite work of art.

Pictured from left to right: Museum Patron, Jose' J. Mapily, Dr. Leslie King-Hammond, Commissioner Anita Neal Powell, Banneker-Douglass Museum Foundation Treasurer Linda Simms, Aris T. Allen, Jr., and Banneker-Douglass Museum Volunteer Richard Everett.

Photo by Amelia Harris