Weeksville Heritage Center has big plans to promote Black history amid hope to reopen

Many consider it a true hidden gem committed to keeping Black history alive on the very grounds where one of America's largest and oldest free Black communities once thrived.

Raymond Codrington, the center's new CEO and president, says he has big plans to continue promoting the historic Black history that took place here with COVID-19 protocol in place.

"The hope is that we're checking with various guidelines state, local, federal to what's opening, what's safe. We want audiences to feel safe, patrons to feel safe and staff as well," Codrington says.

While the Weeksville Heritage Center has been closed throughout the pandemic, Codrington hopes it can open soon at some capacity.

"Moving into the fall we have John Maynard Lecture Series, we have 'On Stage at Weeksville,' which is a performance series, and we also have, I'm really excited about, this virtual programming for teachers, virtual professional development," Codrington says.

The preserved living spaces inside the Hunterfly Road houses were at one point home to over 500 free Black men and women of a thriving vibrant Black community. The center says people came from all over the country to settle dating back to 1838.

Codrington says he is committed to spreading the rich history rooted in the community and keep important conversations going.

"We keep it moving. We have artists workshops taking place in a virtual space," Codrington says. "We've been able to maintain a good momentum throughout the pandemic."