In 1965, Africville the largest and oldest Black community in Canada, older than Canada itself, was bulldozed into memory. This Halifax, Nova Scotia community was composed of about 40 families, and at any given time up to 600 people. It was originally settled by black refugees of the War of 1812, and subsequently,by those receiving land grants from heads of state including Queen Victoria. The city of Halifax historically neglected Africville until it became viewed by City Hall as an eyesore and a shantytown. Rather than providing running water, sewers, a fire department and easy access to electricity to the community, the city relocated the city dump, an abattoir and a prison adjacent to Africville, ultimately declaring it unsanitary, bulldozing it, and relocating the residents to public housing. It remains a sensitive and contentious issue today.
This play resurrects Africville at that very moment that the residents struggled to save their homes and dignity.
New York City, NY; NYC