Senate Resolution No. 2477

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMENDING the Wyckoff House Museum upon the
occasion of hosting its Annual Pinkster Festival on
May 25, 2024

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those organizations of historic significance whose dedicated
contributions have helped further the cultural enrichment of our
communities and our Nation; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Wyckoff House Museum upon the occasion of hosting its Annual
Pinkster Festival on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Pinkster Festival is a 350-year-old little-known
Africanized celebration that took place annually in New York for almost
200 years; Pinkster is Dutch for the Christian holiday of Pentecost, the
commemoration of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of
Jesus, prompting them to "speak in tongues" and go forth spreading their
joyous message; it is considered to be the beginning of the formal
Christian church and, according to the Christian calendar,
Pentecost/Pinkster occurs annually 50 days after Easter; and

WHEREAS, These observations began here in New York and in the U.S.
as a result of the original Dutch settlers; it was a time when the Dutch
would go to church to observe the Pinkster holiday and they would give
their enslaved Africans time off with the freedom to engage in normally
uncustomary activities; the Africans took this opportunity to celebrate
with their own music, dance, and other cultural expressions of their
African heritage; and

WHEREAS, The Pinkster Festival evolved into what is likely the
oldest openly African holiday celebration in America; these celebrations
were outlawed in 1811 before finally disappearing around 1850; and

WHEREAS, The Wyckoff House Museum has been dedicated to reviving
this wonderful tradition, tapping into a forgotten cultural history,
justly earning the museum this distinct recognition for its unrelenting
dedication to its community and residents beyond; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Wyckoff House Museum upon the occasion of hosting its Annual
Pinkster Festival on May 25, 2024; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Wyckoff House Museum.