Bill Text: NY J02806 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Greenwood Forest Farms
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-02-25 - ADOPTED [J02806 Detail]
Download: New_York-2019-J02806-Introduced.html
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.