Living History Vlog: Slavery in NYC and Van Cortlandt Park
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- Опубликовано: 15 окт 2024
- Join me on a typical living history day from getting dressed to travel to the live zoom program. The program took place in the quarters of the enslaved servants in Van Cortlandt House Museum in Bronx, NY.
Pinkster is the Dutch word for Pentecost. The celebration of Pinkster became an African American holiday celebrated in New York and New Jersey.
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Living History @Home: Get Ready for Pinkster with Us!
Wednesday, May 12 @ 3pm
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Living History @Home: Celebrating Pinkster!
Wednesday, May 19 @ 3pm
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This program is a partnership between New-York Historical Society and Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, Van Cortlandt House Museum and The National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York.
vancortlandt.org/
www.vchm.org/
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As a born and raised New Yorker, and a “historian” myself, I never heard of Pinkster until this past year when I was doing my own learning about the local history of enslaved persons. This wasn’t taught in school, and is all the more reason why Cheyney’s work is so important!!!
I agree! I love her telling our ancestors stories!
Every time you teach me something new about slavery in this country, I get mad that no one taught me about it in school. I've learned so much from you, thank you!
Can we just set this woman up to educate us if she pleases. Like give her a life grant lol. I absolutely love your channel.
I am so ignorant; I had no idea how prevalent slavery was in NY. Shows what I know! If anyone was wondering why what you do is so important. Thank you for posting this! And prepping epsom salt footbath is genius.
If you have any interest, there’s a historical novel out called Libertie about free black people living in Brooklyn in the 1860s and includes those who just escaped being enslaved in the south and New Yorkers who were freed during the 1820s manumission in NY.
@@laurenconrad1799 I am interested! Thank you for the recommendation!
I learned a new word...Pinkster. As a West coaster, that’s something I never heard. The learning and striving to understand never ends.
Snaps for Cheyney 🙌🙌🙌👏👏👏and I'm sure the ancestors are glad for your company and the important work you are doing on behalf of their legacy, and your community today!!!🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
@Em Dee, not at all what I’m implying. I had to look up the word, and right there in type definition it said it was an event exclusive to the NorthEast. Trust me... I’ve lived up and down the West Coast, and am acutely aware of what’s happening.
I'm a lifelong east coast resident, & I just learned a new word.
I love your channel so much thank you 🙏🏼
I learn so much from your channel - thank you for your important work as you tell our stories.
Wow. I’m born and raised in the Bronx and I used to go to Van Cortlandt Park from time to time as I child, and I never knew its history. I learned so much from your video. Thank you for sharing!
I was born in Harlem and raised in Brooklyn but it wasn't until after I moved away that I learned about New York's slave history. I previously thought all black New Yorkers were products Southern migrants or of West Indian emigrants like my parents. Now whenever I go to New York I look at black strangers and I'm like...I wonder if their ancestors have been here since slave days...
Your energy is such a joy and comfort. Keep doing what you’re doing.
So very interesting. As a non-american, I had no knowledge of this part of American slavery. Thinking about it, it does make sense since they had outlawed slavery, that means that slavery was something that was there before. Odd that we don't really draw that connection! Thank you for the work you. And it fills my heart with joy seeing how genuinely happy this work makes you!
Thank you for all that you do in filling in the gaps in our education, my Sister. Your work is SO important, SO necessary!
Wow I’m shocked and sad that I didn’t know about the history for Van Cortland Park, I used to run a cross country race there every year during school and I had no idea that was the origins of the park. Thank you for this needed education!
I don't know how to say this as a white person without sounding offensive so if I do sound offensive I am completely sorry and it is 100% unintentional but I think it's beautiful how you are showing black folks that were behind the scenes and highly responsible for many beautiful things in history. I love it and I love learning about it because I don't think that black people get enough credit in the past because we don't want to talk about the term slaves. I think it brings a lot of negativity when there are positive aspects that we should talk about like how responsible they are for probably this success of many white people. Thank you for doing this ❤️
I don’t think what you said was bad at all! And yes some decent things came out of slavery. We are strong and beautiful people no matter the time period. And it’s important to learn history so we don’t repeat it.
Nothing offensive about what you said.
What you said is true and appreciated. That’s why we want reparations, for the generational wealth that was not passed down to us but instead helped generations (and institutions) of White people be successful.
I think the phrasing in the last part is a bit off, sounds like you're attributing positives to slavery. But the spirit is there, and that's what matters. You're absolutely right, black people haven't gotten enough credit on their enforced labor and they still don't. As someone already answered you, this is why we need reparations. Thank you for being an ally.
And to think, a lot of white people (historical and present) had/has the nerve to call Black people lazy. One of the many reasons why America is seen as a powerhouse is because of the innumerable contributions of African Americans.
The contributions of Black people in America
This was awesome! So great to see the behind-the-scenes of a historical interpreter's work. I can't wait to see more of your fantastic work.
I always enjoy your videos. I never heard the term "Pinkster" until this video. I was wondering what you were saying, but as soon as I got to the comments it looks like I wasn't the only one confused. Also, I'm laughing about how you were like "why are people looking at me", but then you remembered you were in historical garb. Haha! Thanks for sharing. I hope that teachers are using your material in schools. It would've been so cool to learn this in middle school.
I literally stumbled on this channel ❤I'm a historian in my mind so I'm in love.God bless
Love your spirit!!! Love your passion for history. Im a history buff myself 🌺
Thank you for all your work and sharing your knowledge 🌺
Thank you for educating me everytime I come to your channel. I want to understand and hear.
Thank you so much for explaining slavery in NY. Im Canadian and so regional details like that get missed. Im learning a lot from your channel. Thank you. ❤️
I had no knowledge about slavery in NYC, and certainly didn't know there was a plantation out there. Bless you for lifting up the stories of your ancestors, and good luck in your research career. PS (no need to reply publicly, but) are u getting monetized by youtube? I'll do my best to send viewers your way!!
It isn’t talked about nearly enough. I’ve lived in NYC and have been a history nerd my entire life and I didn’t know about it until I was 17.
Thank you Patreon Patrons!
So great to see your joy doing this important work!
You're excitement has me excited😊
Thank you so much for doing what you do! God bless you 🙏❤
Thank you for the work you do. We need to see the truthful past of our country.
I love this channel. I am so excited to find it.
Thats actually been super interesting, especially as a Dutch person it sparked me to do some research into it (and will continue to) and love seeing how it was adopted and adapted. Especially as nowadays Holland is a very secular country.
New subbie! So glad you were in my recommended.... love knowing more about our ancestors in this way! ❤️
This might help explain more about "Pinkster"
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinkster#Impact_on_African-Americans
Thanks.
Thank you - it did help.
Just found you! I’m from Melbourne Australia. I’m learning so much. I didn’t know your job existed. Power to you a d what you do. I’ve now subscribed. Love your work!
Fascinating topic! Thank you for sharing. Peace.
So happy that I found your channel! I’m a huge history buff and even more an African American history fan. I majored in Humanities in college looking to get my MA possibly in African American studies.
I'm so so glady you are back! I was genuinely concerned that you or someone in your family had fallen victim to the "panorama" and that's why you had had to stop making videos. Thank you for your generosity in sharing your knowledge and your experiences with us!!!
I’m in NJ and during the late 2000s, my husband and I took our children to Philipsburg Manor in Hudson valley, once or twice during Pinkster activities.
It's so good to see you back over here! That foot bath is such a good idea. I hope the bath bomb smelled amazing and your feet were not sore the next day!
Got here from YT indications and already whatching EVERYTHING! You do such an important work and bring amaaazing contents and discussions! Kisses from Brazil
Chains is a middle school book but it gives a great back ground to this story
I love watching you. God bless you 🤗
Love your presentations. I had never heard of Pinkster even though I was in high school and Sunday school with a Dutch citizen. Keep the historical info coming.
"Can't go through Harlem without stopping at my parents.". What a good daughter you are.
Virginia in northern Ohio
I need to visit this museum. I’m a history nerd living in Kingsbridge in the Bronx. There’s no excuse anymore. Lol
Thank you for teaching me more about this part of our countries history. It’s truly heart breaking but enlightening.
I love your channel! It’s so interesting to learn history by actually seeing it acted out. It makes it a lot more real than just reading words in a page.
Greetings from florida 🏄♀️ Luv Your Uploads a lot ! I’m a new subscriber. Sending Peace, Health, Love and Light unto Rejoicing ❤️ God Bless ❤️
As always I learn so much from your videos you are truly such an incredible teacher and because this is a subject not taught so much I want to soak it up like a sponge xxx
Now I'm curious about my family roots with both the indigenous and enslaved populations. My family had a farm in Sussex/Wantage, NJ. I'm interested in any resources that would be helpful.
You are Amazing!! I look forward to each one of your videos, Cheney (love the name too!). Thanks so very much!
I learned so much from your videos! Thank you!
THANKS FOR THIS 😩❤️❤️ it was like they erased us but we’re coming back with a vengeance baby the ancestors will be so proud.
Thank you for doing these videos! Your work is so important, bringing our history to life.
Small note: the music gets much louder for the footage between narration, which can be harsh in headphones or to dozing family members nearby when the speaking volume is fine. Also, some people have hearing issues that make it harder to distinguish spoken word the louder the background music is.
You're going to get a million subscribers because everyone needs to see your videos, and things like this will make your amazing content easier for more people enjoy.
Thanks again for all your hard work. You make me proud!
Thank you for uploading your content. I always wondered how slaves were brought/bought in the north yet appeared to ha e only been sold south?
This sheds light that slavery existed above the mason Dixon line.
Also, kudos for the stamina needed to put on all the attire.
Love this so much! Keep spreading the knowledge! 💗
What a wonderful person you are. That was a whole lotta stairs!
Thank you for covering this. I always looked for history of NY as I grew up here and it is rather hard to find. Easier knowing to start at Van Cartland park to learn more. Not much on NY slavery search
Omg I'm pretty sure I saw you the other day when passing by Van Cortlandt park!
Thank you for sharing. This is really cool
I like the music you pick for your videos.
Thank you! I want to get into reenacting! Your living my dream. Thank you for doing what your doing.
*so cute and innocently* "I'll probably a take a butter knife to the bath bomb..."
*scrapes and stabs bath bomb with a kitchen knife* xD
I just got this video Cheyney!!! My notification is checked. Any ideas why I didn't get this until now?
I love the videos you should keep on making more about this type of stuff or similar.
Amazingly informative! Thank you!
What do can drivers say when they pick you up? Also, would love to meet you next time I come home to visit.also maybe I missed what pinkster is or maybe when you were saying I didn't realize. Explain again?
Hehe I was enticing people to check out the program. 😁 Pinkster is the Dutch word for Pentecost. The celebration of Pinkster became an African American holiday celebrated in New York and New Jersey.
I was trying to be slick. Lol 👀
@@NotYourMommasHistory I lived in NYC all my life until I was 25 and never heard if it. Wow. I still have so much to learn
@@NotYourMommasHistory you were slick! 😉 I just didn't watch you video early enough to participate in your zoom.
Just found your channel. Wow there is so much I didn't know!!! Thank you for informing us what life was truly like in the 1700's US. I actually cringe when I think how naive I am about black history! The lies and excuses I believed to be true for so long about "servants" in the south and now learning about slavery in NYC too, it's upsetting. Keep telling us the truth!!!
i’d really like to do historical interpretation, but (along with the stress of portraying an enslaved person- or even a free black woman, for that matter) i have no clue where to start in NY. while i know there’s a general darth of black interpreters, there’s also this air of tension when reaching out to museums/historical societies when looking for slave-portrayal jobs
maybe i’m wrong and i’m just not looking in the right places, but it feels like my presence when trying to get hired just makes potential employers uncomfortable, since they and their companies would rather ignore the subject of slavery
This would be beneficial towards everyone understanding more about racism, it honestly would if each person went into this knowing what the job entailed and it was done right. However look at it from everyone else's perspective right now, especially the museums and employers etc. We are so on edge racial and social wise, even the idea of hiring someone to act out and interpret the true lives of black people and to tell the history of slavery would put a target on their backs, including the interpreters, idiots would accuse them of attempting to promote slavery, in some twisted way because radicals are a holes. A lot of people are not trying to ignore the subject of slavery its just no one wants to become a target and loose everything. So they stay silent and try to stay out of it as best they can which the consequence of that is in a way it shows others that they are ignoring the subject of slavery when in fact their truly not trying to, its just any person with how the last year and half has gone will choose to put food on the table and a roof over their head over trying to solve racial issues. It sucks and it asinine but people sometimes don't have a choice but its not like they don't want to help. In a way Its a double edge sword, their damned if they do and damned if they don't. Of course you still have those who are racist and those who want to avoid the subject of slavery and its sad because it needs to be talked about and the best people to talk about it are black people and other people of color. I like your idea and I think you should stick with it. talk with the museum etc. directors in private, see what they have to say.
Can you please do a video about Pinkster? I'm really interested
Watched your video on the Lady's Maid. Brilliant. I'm using the words "enslaved" and "enslaver" now, we are talking about people to whom something was done / did something, but people. Refocuses the conversation.
I'm a subscriber but never get your notifications. I mention you in my book about ADOS reenactors.
Here I am again! Already I’ve learned the first thing. I live in NY and am surprised to learn that NY was the biggest state ? As opposed to Alabama ? And the south ? This I never knew. I figured it was more down in the south? And here’s where I’m gonna ask a silly question but promise to tell you if I’m kidding around or not! But have you e we gone anywhere, say the mall for example , in these outfits?
Great video. Subscribed to your channel. In future videos, you might want to watch the sound volume. Particularly when you were giving your museum talk, I could hardly hear you over the music.
Dang! I missed the may 19th zoom by less than two hours☹☹☹ should have watched this sooner! Hopefully there's something similar coming again soon.
I love your videos. So informative. So thank you for the work that you do. The only critique is that the background music is a distraction.
So interesting, thank you!
I wish someone had explained to me the job options in the history field. I'd love a job like this.so freaking cool.
Tks for sharing this information
A lot of older parks are old plantations
Just found you! Love it. I homeschool my daughter for 6 years and this would have been fantastic to show her. Anyway, where do you get your information or for your interpretations. If that makes sense.
Imagine being the Uber driver and just picking someone up who’s dressed for the 1700’s 💀 I would be so confused
I found out that my 8th great grandfather, Simon Bradstreet (a Governor of the MA Bay Colony in the 17th century), owned 2 enslaved people. Interestingly, apparently his wife, Anne Bradstreet (America's first published woman poet) didn't own them as the Wikipedia information only listed him. After all, married women didn't own property. I think a video on slavery in New England would be interesting. There's always a video about Tituba who survived the Witch Trials.
I wish I’d’ve known about this happening- I’m a Quick subway ride away...
Wow, I had no idea slavery was so common in New York! Do you happen to know if it was common for small farms and homes, in general, to have at least 1 or 2 enslaved people and if those that had them were only wealthy or middle class? I ask since, as I understand it, up through the 1960s having specifically black servants was a mark of wealth (my mother who was raised in Hollywood Ca has very vivid and fond memories of practically being raised by some black servants in the 1940s) on the West Coast and wondering if that trend began in Colonial times or not. Sorry, I just wanted to learn from someone who specialized.
^
did enslaved individuals also have a seasonal wardrobe for the drops in temperature ? I know very little about this topic my fault
You're Awesome 🙌😎
This might be a dumb question, but why is "enslaved persons" the preferred language over "enslaved people"?
I’m not sure myself but it probably has to do with some of the small etymology differences between the words.
A “people” is usually implied to be a united group with a shared identity, culture. A collective, that can act together. The word deflects attention on individuals and their unique experiences and identities.
“Persons” does more to recognize that the thing this group of people had in common was enslavement. They came from various backgrounds and had individual lives. Enslaved persons were denied a lot of community and connection, too.
But this is mostly a guess. Anyone who knows better can please correct me.
Thank you.
Question about wearing historical clothing in public...cuz i wear lots of vintage like 1910 through 50s. Are you comfortable. Because ohhhh you just mentioned it in the video lol. Okay, so People ARE looking at me like I'm crazy. ..ok. question answered. Hahahaha
P.s. watching you get dressed or others doing it is my favorite part. Just to see all the layers going on in correct order is fascinating.
Next time try to not make the music to loud or get a mic so we can hear you better.🤎
Thank you again for the insight
The accommodation seems similar to that of any lower level servants in Europe of the age, scullery maids etc. I recall being shocked to see how very sparse and narrow the servant's beds were in the attics of William Morris's home in the late 1800's and he was a renowned early Socialist ! Not being slaves was a bonus but did not guarantee a good master and one would lose all wages if one left before the year was up and probably not get another job without a reference. I am curious how the owned people fitted with the hired ones . Did the level of skill balance up against the unfree versus free ? Could an enslaved Cook pull weight over a kitchen maid who was free ?
I somehow doubt it. At the end of the day chattel slavery is a different beast even to "old world" slavery, in part because of the ideas of racial superiority entwined with it. Think about for e.g. Irish indentured servants in the Americas vs. A black African slave in the Americas. Both were treated as inferior to white anglo society BUT the Irish person's term of slavery actually ended as due course of law, the black person's term of slavery only ended via intervention (running away or being freed - which was rare). The Irish person was then able to "pass" as a member of the white colonial community, or become more Anglicised, which afforded them priviledge (however small it was), over people of colour. It also meant he could access land, credit etc and make something of himself. Just like Scarlet O'Hara's dad in Gone with the Wind (yeah i know its fiction). Social mobility wasn't just a possibility, it was likely. But for the black slave, even if they were lucky enough to become free, ideas of white superiority meant that they were often excluded from credit, from buying land, and even where that was not the case, it's not like they could easily integrate into white free society when they looked so distinctively black, and black was coded as slave, as less than. Yeah lower class people had a shit time of it across the board, no one's saying they didn't, and clearly ideas on how to treat enslaved people were charted based on what was thought acceptable to do to the lowest rungs of white society. At the end of the day though, there's a qualitative difference once skin colour, rather than one's religion, became the marker of civilised society. (I say religion because in medieval Mediterranean slavery black people who were freed from slavery could access credit/land etc. But generally had to convert and take on European mores to do so. So they still had to erase their indigenous culture and become European/integrate, but it wasn't considered impossible or even implausible for them to be able to do this at the time. Fun fact there was a sizeable community of free black gondolieri in Venice in the 1500s.)
@@SplatterInker I was seeing things from the perspective of Roman slavery[ which I know more about in practical terms] where one could achieve high status within a household regardless of being a slave . I have never studied the short history of European settlers in the USA despite having lived in California for 3 years many years ago. I confess I was more interested in the Chumash Indians at the time as how people fit into land is one of my interests.
My daughter worked on a dig at a free African American settlement when she first studied forensic archaeology but I had few details from her . So thank you for your opinion. Your pun on Moors is amusing.
Of cause in Britain we have had black inhabitants for as long as we have had history and they have ranged from Emperor to servant status although I suspect as most were traveling of their own volition they would have been of higher status than most British especially pre Black Death when serfs were unable to leave their lords land. Skilled craftsmen could find work where they chose.
I grew up in Van Cortland
Too bad the music is so loud in the end
way to watch the zoom replay?
Love from Africa
So would love to meet u In real life and just talk history
Love how you sad you cought pepol stealing so glad back befor realising you were in historical dress who cears thay shouldn't stear its rude and you look good no mater what along as you are comfortable who cears there the ones with the isues
I'm descended from one of the early Dutch families and I think they may have owned some slaves. I'm not sure. But it saddens me in so many ways, mostly because I have the privilege of actually being able to trace that ancestry whereas the descendants of those slaves do not. It makes me feel guilty. However, I'm learning so much from your videos even though I only just started watching them. And while we can't erase the stain of slavery from this country's history, we can learn and vow to never let it happen again. Oh, and what is Pinkster?
Great video!
Slavery was prevalent in the North, all the way up to New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
I'm not American but the general view of the civil war was that the North were the good guys and the main reason for the war was to abolition, obviously not
There are no good guys in war and both sides did their share of wrong
The Civil War was fought for slavery. Period. The Confederacy wanted to maintain and expand it, the Union wanted to halt its expansion and expand free states. I don't think that the powers that be on either side were doing it for benevolent reasons. They were doing it to solidify their hold on power.
However you will never catch me saying that the Union in the CW we're the “bad guys”. I'm always cheering for the side that wasn't trying to expand the enslavement of my people. We can have more complex conversations about the North’s involvement in the institution of slavery, but we need to stop simplifying a very complex topic.
That's what I meant, to a non-American audience the reasons and issues behind what happened are extremely simplified and are presented in very definitive good v bad terms
I'm not american and the general view of the civil war was that the south were the bad boys, because they fought to keep slavery and the exploitation and abuse of human beings.
@@indalo1995 if we're honest, that's pretty much how it was taught in American schools. The number of American people who believe in the simplification is astounding
Pardon me, Ms. Cheyney.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could add subtitles to your videos, please. I have sensory processing / hearing issues, and I can't hear or understand what you're saying in much of your audio. The auto-generated subtitles are /useless/; I doubt it's really called the Can Courts and House, and the subtitles just cut out entirely when you aren't facing the camera / mic, so I missed everything you said while in the living quarters of the enslaved people at the plantation.
You must pour so much emotional labour and mental strain into your work. I don't want to not be able to appreciate the work you do because my ears don't work right.
Thank you, Ma'am.
Nice that we know about slavery but we need more videos on before slavery. Black ppl were thriving before this BS
Are you aware of Nona Faustine's work? Y'all really seem like you should hang out.
I love lush bath bombs too