Seneca Village began in 1825 as one of New York’s first communities of black property owners. Starting over two decades ago, a group of academics, calling themselves the Institute for the Exploration of Seneca Village History, began preparing to explore the largely forgotten site using ground penetrating radar. Following six years of negotiations, they got permission from the city in 2011 to excavate an area of Central Park, uncovering artifacts like a toothbrush handle and a small leather-soled shoe. It is tentatively planned for the western side of the park near 106th Street. The statue was moved last year to Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, where Dr. Sims is buried.

Source: New York Times October 20, 2019 09:00 UTC