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Black History Month: African Americans in Sag Harbor.

by Nadeen
August 4, 2016
A A

In honor of Black History Month I am featuring one of the most historic African-American communities in America. It is the sophisticated and exclusive area of Sag Harbor in The Hamptons. If you have been there you know vacationing in Sag Harbor or The Hamptons means fine dining, exquisite shopping, beautiful beaches and celebrity spotting. What many people do not know is the rich and long history of African Americans in Sag Harbor.

The Hamptons are located roughly 2 hours from New York City and Sag Harbor is located on Long Island in between East and Southampton. Although Sag Harbor is 85% White and 7.5% African American, the African-American presence is definitely felt. As recent as 2009 the population of African Americans in Sag Harbor in three neighborhoods was 100%! The history of African Americans in Sag Harbor dates back to the 1800s. Sag Harbor had a profitable whaling business so many African Americans flocked there seeking employment prior to 1840! Early life there was not easy as Native Americans and African Americans in Sag Harbor faced segregation that included sitting in balconies and rear areas of churches. The Eastville area in particular stands out as a thriving place for African Americans which is where, along with Native Americans, they built the St.David’s AME Zion church. This church is believed to have been a part of the Underground Railroad. Another African American community which I visited years ago is Azurest which was founded in 1947 by Maude Terry and her sister Amaza Lee Meredith. They had a dream to create a summer community for African Americans in Sag Harbor and did so by purchasing lots and selling them for $1000 or less! Other known African American communities in Sag Harbor are Ninevah, Sag Harbor Hills and Hillcrest Terrace.

When the whaling industry declined you could find men seeking other sea jobs while women worked as domestics to rich white people in the Hamptons. In the 19th century many financially sound African Americans bought and rented summer homes in Sag Harbor. Look around and pay attention to the street names which recognizes many of the early African American settlers to the area. “Terry Drive” and “Meredith Avenue” are named after the sisters above, “Paul Robeson Street” after the famous activist and “Cuffee Drive” named in part for Whaler Cuffee who was a sailor in 1832 and “Hempstead Street” named after David Hempstead-one of the founders of the AME Zion church mentioned above.  Most interesting to me is “Pickens Place” which is a landmark for the Pickens family estate that dates back to the early 1900s. I went to the University of Virginia with one of the Pickens! When I visited Sag Harbor he invited us to a block party in the Azurest area which was unforgettable. To see so many affluent and influential African Americans in Sag Harbor was comforting and inspirational. Notable black inhabitants of Sag Harbor included Harry Belafonte, Langston Hughes, Lena Horne, Duke Ellington and more recently Ken Chenault-chairman of American Express, Susan Taylor-former editor of Essence Magazine and restaurateur B.Smith.  One of the main issues facing this historic area is keeping real estate in the hands of black families due to rising house and land prices. Most African Americans in Sag Harbor believe in preserving their communities. They believe in having a place where their children can grow up with and socialize with others like them. They believe in a place where they can be with like minded adults and a place where no one can tell them or their children that they do not belong.  Others welcome diversity to the area as long as the new residents embrace the community feel of the area. Some African Americans in Sag Harbor recognize the financial needs of some Black families to sell to the highest bidder and the younger generation not holding the same need to preserve the history and community values of their ancestors.  There are many Realtors in the area who work diligently towards preserving the African American presence in Sag Harbor communities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YypfNs87u4A

The Own network by Oprah Winfrey currently has a documentary called “Sag Harbor” which discusses the history of African Americans in Sag Harbor as well as profiling many of its famous residents mentioned above. In an interview with Newsday magazine, B.Smith’s husband and business partner  Dan Gasby ,who moved to Sag Harbor 25 years ago, stated that the documentary is “letting people know that all Black people ain’t poor and all poor people ain’t Black”. View the trailer above and check Own TV for more information and local listings.

African Americans in Sag Harbor. Seafood at B.Smith's Restaurant. Photo courtesy of BSmith.com
Seafood at B.Smith’s Restaurant in Sag Harbor in the Hamptons. Photo courtesy of BSmith.com

My experience visiting Sag Harbor was a positive one as a young black professional.  I enjoyed laying out by the bay in Azurest and dining at B. Smith’s restaurant which had an  open air feel and views of yachts on the water. Although B.Smith’s has been sold there are many other great restaurant options in Sag Harbor. Main Street in Sag Harbor is very quaint with dining, shops and specialty markets. Be sure to go to The American Hotel for drinks or dinner! There is also the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum. Relax on Foster Memorial Beach or Havens Beach. What I enjoyed the most was seeing, meeting and greeting so many successful Black people living, vacationing and being at home in an area that in most other states would be predominantly white. This is absolutely a great place to take Black children to teach them this part of African American history.

Have you been to Sag Harbor or The Hamptons? If so share your thoughts with us!

N.S.W.

Photo credit. Seafood picture courtesy of https://bsmith.com/restaurants/sag-harbor/#

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Tags: black history monthlong islandsag harborthe hamptons
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Nadeen

Nadeen

Dr. Nadeen White is a "Blogger by Day, Physician by Night". She is an award-winning travel blogger, Amazon bestselling author and speaker. The Sophisticated Life Blog covers affordable luxury travel, culinary travel and wine. Her domestic and international travel guides gets people to the destinations of their dreams. So, if you are living the sophisticated life or desire to do so, this is the blog for you!

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Comments 25

  1. Chanel | Cultural Xplorer says:
    6 years ago

    I have been to the Hamptons before but I never knew about Sag Harbor’s history! Now I want to go back out there 😀

    • Nadeen says:
      6 years ago

      Chanel-you should since it is so close to you! When I went I was with a friend who vacationed there growing up so she introduced us to the African American communities by the Bay. I had a great time and hoping to make it back there this summer!

  2. Ariana Queenan says:
    6 years ago

    This is so interesting! I go to college on Long Island and had no clue about the rich history of Sag Harbor.

    • Nadeen says:
      6 years ago

      Arianna-I am glad you find it interesting! I do too and realize a lot of people do not know about the history there!

  3. Kimberly Bolden says:
    6 years ago

    The Hamptons are absolutely beautiful! Spend two weekends in 2013 with friends and absolutely adored it. I did not know about the rich African-American history though.

    • Nadeen says:
      6 years ago

      Kimberly- I am glad to let people know about it! It is so interesting and a positive image of African Americans in this country!

  4. Holly says:
    6 years ago

    This is great info! I never knew about the history of Sag Harbor. I will have to head out there and get the full experience.

    • Nadeen says:
      6 years ago

      Holly-yes! Make a trip out there while in NYC. Of course it is better in the summertime vs wintertime! lol

  5. Bernetta says:
    6 years ago

    Thank you for the info. I didn’t know about this either. I have always wanted to visit the Hamptons, but you sure make me want to visit Sag Harbor More.

    • Nadeen says:
      6 years ago

      Thanks Bernetta! I am sure you and your family would enjoy it!

  6. Francesca @onegrloneworld says:
    6 years ago

    That was very informative! I can’t believe I’ve never heard of Sag Harbor. I never had a real interest in the Hamptons, but maybe I’ll go check it out now so I can visit!

    • Nadeen says:
      6 years ago

      I am glad you enjoyed it! It is definitely worth the trip!

  7. Nicole Brewer says:
    6 years ago

    This was an insightful piece. I’ve never been to Sag Harbor or The Hamptons but I would love to go exploring these areas in the future!

    • Nadeen says:
      6 years ago

      Thanks Nicole! I am sure you would enjoy it!

  8. Adanna says:
    6 years ago

    Ive never been to Sag Harbor but what a great read. I remember when I was in college my professor sharing a story about a friend who was native to that area and was faced with discrimination by new comers. That really saddened me. I think it’s important to preserve these areas so that young kids can see the different sides of black life. There are so many different layers and sides to us. Thanks for sharing.

    • Nadeen says:
      6 years ago

      Adanna-Thank you. That is such a sad story but I have heard it does happen. I hope more families find a way to keep their homes in Sag Harbor.

  9. Ryan Biddulph says:
    6 years ago

    Nadeen very neat. I visited Sag Harbor many years ago on a trip out to Matatuck. Really beautiful spot and I had no idea there was such a strong African American influence. Thanks for the share Nadeen and keep on inspiring!

    Ryan

    • Nadeen says:
      6 years ago

      Ryan-Thank you so much! It is a beautiful area and I hope to return there soon!

  10. Siobhan (BeFree Project) says:
    6 years ago

    I had no idea about the history of Sag Harbor, thank you for giving me a valuable history lesson. I’m adding this destination as a place I MUST visit. The food looks AMAZING!

    • Nadeen says:
      6 years ago

      Siobahn-Thank you! It is such an interesting and important part of African American history so I am happy to share it!

  11. MJ says:
    6 years ago

    I’ve been to Sag Harbor. So beautiful and yes there is great African American history there. Thanks for sharing about to documentary on OWN. Will definitely check it out.

    • Nadeen says:
      6 years ago

      Your welcome MJ! I hope you get to see it!

  12. Kiwi says:
    6 years ago

    Now this is BLACK HISTORY! I loved reading your blog post on Sag Harbor as I did not know of this place or the historical value it has to African Americans! I love to hear positive stories about us, that we do have a history that is rich and beneficial that helps our community. Thanks for this and I want to make sure I can visit this place one day! Very inspiring on my bucket list!

    • Nadeen says:
      6 years ago

      Thank you Kiwi! I am glad you enjoyed it! I so think it is important for adults and children to know all the history of African Americans in this country and with eveything that has been going on it is nice to have these positive images.

  13. Gylbert Coker says:
    4 years ago

    I would love to add pictures and I wonder if anyone who lived in Sag Harbor during the 1950s can add pictures. What I see today does not look familiar at all. When I was a little girl there were not many people in the area at all.

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