In 1825, Seneca Village became the first community of free African-Americans in New York City. Many residents owned their own property. But in the 1840s, city planners decided to build Central Park and displace the black landowners. Officials tried taking land from wealthy white residents first, but they resisted. So city planners smeared Seneca Village residents in the press as vagabonds and squatters to build public support. At least 50 homes, 3 churches, a school, and a cemetery were demolished. Residents lost everything. Beyond the devastating economic impacts, Seneca Village represented safety and community for African-Americans. City planners used similar tactics across the U.S. in the 1950s-60s leading to widespread destruction of black neighborhoods. The stolen land Seneca Village sat on is now valued around $500 million.

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