03/13/2025
Contractors play a role in preserving history
A piece of American history sits quietly on Wildey Street in Tarrytown, NY in the form of the Foster Memorial AME Zion Church. This historically designated church was a stop on the Underground Railroad, a secret network of churches, homes, and business, that helped enslaved people make the treacherous trip north to freedom. Somewhat worn yet still full of life, it is worthy of preservation.
This is not just Black history, it’s American history. Foster Memorial opened in its current location in 1865. The decades show on its face and in its foundation where the still existing trapdoor opened into a hidden space, a safe haven for people escaping slavery.
The CEO of a New York City construction company did not immediately commit when asked to donate his services to replace a floor at the church in late 2024. Then he watched the movie “Harriet Tubman,” which chronicles the life and work of the woman who led many escaped slaves through the Underground Railroad.
“When I watched “Harriet Tubman,” something moved in me,” he said. His Staten Island based construction company has provided high-quality work in the region for nearly 20 years. “As we move through our own lives, sometimes we forget the magnitude of sacrifices our ancestors made to allow us the freedoms we have today.”
He sent a crew to begin tearing out the old floor, exposing the very space where escaped slaves hid. History doesn’t stop and this CEO became part of it when he decided to step up and help. The floor has been fully renovated. At 160 years old, more restoration is needed, including a new roof, the subfloor and plumbing in the men’s restroom, painting, and other repairs.
If you are a contractor in the New York area and want to become part of American history by donating your services, contact Rev. Andre Upson at 914-625-8008 for more information.
Foster Memorial joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, and was added to the African American Heritage Trail of Westchester County in 2004.
We will keep you updated on efforts to preserve this jewel of history.
