 
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.
Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Greenwood Forest Farms

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