Senate Resolution No. 2806
BY: Senator METZGER
COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of Greenwood
Forest Farms
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize the
important milestones in those businesses within the State of New York
which have contributed to the economic health and vitality of the
communities they serve; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Greenwood Forest Farms; and
WHEREAS, In 1919, the original Sterling Forest Farms corporation,
now known as Greenwood Forest Farms, was made up of African-American
real estate pioneers who purchased 143 acres of land after being turned
away from purchasing land adjacent to Greenwood Lake, Greenwood Lake,
New York; and
WHEREAS, Greenwood Forest Farms, also known as The Colony, became
New York State's first African-American resort community when it was
founded high in the mountains surrounding Greenwood Lake; and
WHEREAS, By 1938, The Colony had become a thriving resort to
prominent folks, including J. Rosamond Johnson, Dr. Gertrude Curtis,
Cecil McPherson, The Honorable Miles A. Page and Langston Hughes; and
WHEREAS, As the century progressed, Greenwood Forest Farms developed
a restaurant, bar, musical entertainment, tennis and handball courts,
and a nursery school; and
WHEREAS, The farm's homeowners owned the property until the early
1970s when the surrounding land was sold to a pair of sisters and sold
again later in the decade to potential developers; and
WHEREAS, However, in 2007, the Greenwood Forest Farms Association
Inc. was created to preserve the legacy of the original colony, and
signs were erected along Nelson Road to commemorate the history of the
community; and
WHEREAS, Presently, the Orange County Land Trust is in the process
of purchasing the remaining acreage of the original corporation to
rightfully preserve it; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proudly moved to honor and commend
the members, past and present, of Greenwood Forest Farms who have
labored so conscientiously to secure and improve the quality of life for
the residents and community it serves; noting the significance of its
unremitting efforts to build a commonality of interest and pride of
cooperative achievement, inherent in the values of community and family
life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Greenwood Forest Farms; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Greenwood Forest Farms.
