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.