Being Black in the Adirondacks: Past and Present | Adirondacks for All

Explore the diverse experiences of Black communities in the Adirondacks, past and present. Tracing back to the mid-1800s, uncover the remarkable tale of an experiment with racial justice, where free African Americans migrated to the Adirondacks to farm the land and secure voting rights. 

Fast forward to the summer of 2023, as an assembly of activists, educators, and Adirondack community members converge to joyously celebrate the unveiling of a new historical marker. This marker represents a brook, once named with a pejorative term for Black people, now renamed in honor of one of these pioneers, John Thomas. This marker stands testament to the resilience and contributions of African American settlers, symbolizing the strides local communities have taken in fostering a diverse, inclusive, and expansive history of the Adirondacks. This resource not only uncovers the past, but also ignites discussions on the current state of inclusion and racial equity, delving into the broader narrative of renaming historical monuments and natural features to forge a more accurate and equitable understanding of our shared history.