State History

Waterford, NY MARCH 21, 2019 -- The New York State Review Board voted unanimously to recommend the SANS Historic District for nomination to the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Eastville Historical Society's executive director, Dr. Georgette L. Grier-Key traveled to the State Office of Historic Preservation to represent the SANS community application during the hearing for nomination for State and National Registers eligibility. “It is so important for the board to see and hear from the people who are at the heart of National Register projects,”  according to Jennifer Betsworth,  Historic Preservation Specialist assigned as the National Register administrator for Counties that include Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, Ulster and who worked closely with the community.

Reflecting on the seventy-nine years of history in the historic African American Community referred to collectively as SANS -- Sag Harbor Hills circa 1950, Azurest circa 1948 and Ninevah circa 1952 Subdivisions -- in Sag Harbor, Long Island, NY, the SANS community has finally arrived at the moment of truth. The SANS Community has evolved from a Summer Black Resort Community to having full time year-round residents over the years. Generationally speaking, you have 3^rdgeneration homeowners still holding on to the dream. An affirmative vote by the New York State Board of Review for Historic Preservation means much more than bragging rights for the community that worked so hard to self-fund the study while also doing most of the leg work. It means and says to many of the esteemed elders and their ancestors that we held on, we persevered, we survived, and their sacrifice were not in vain.

Renee V. H. Simons, president of SANS Sag Harbor & SANS Resident said  "Today’s efforts once again underscore and document the drive and existence of African American contributions in the long history of America. It recognizes extraordinary success at a time of immense downward pressure both legally and in practice to debilitate and deny human and legal rights as full citizens of America. The resourcefulness and ability shown in SANS Sag Harbor to collaboratively rise above the economic currents and develop an American experience, against the odds, is historic.”

 “The remnant history surrounding enslaved people of the African Diaspora is often contested. Hence, we have to go a step beyond to prove our contributions to the American experience. History has celebrated the first, the biggest, the brightest, and the loudest. Until now, we - ourselves - have undervalued or have forgotten what the dream is all about. Basically, the everyday citizen making a way out of no way. Striving to cut a slither of the world out for themselves, making it their own and for their families, and creating a sense of community. That’s what SANS did during a dark period in our country. Now, inspired by a recognized breakthrough among great many other layered histories residing within the SANS community”, said Dr. Georgette L. Grier-Key. 

So today, as SANS added a new chapter in the history book at the State Office for Historic Preservation, let us remember one of the greatest museums of our time has just been built, the National Museum of African American History and Culture. It tells the stories about a people’s journey and a nation’s journey. Let us not forget that we too are a part of that journey’s arc. Eastville and SANS Sag Harbor are included in the permanent exhibit, the Power of Place. America is a collection of people, with a collection of great stories with a common bond.