Bench to honor Hesdra, Underground Railroad activist

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — The Oscar-winning movie 12 Years a Slave reminded Americans that a free black man living in the North in the 19th century could still be enslaved.

Far fewer people may know of a dramatic story that unfolded in Rockland — one the village of Nyack and the Toni Morrison Society believe deserves greater recognition.

Cynthia Hesdra was born in Tappan in 1808, the daughter of a man who may have operated a grist mill by Sparkill Creek. It's not clear if Hesdra was born into or sold into slavery. Her husband, Edward Hesdra, eventually bought her freedom. After moving to Nyack from New York City, the couple, now successful in business and landowners, sheltered escaped slaves at their home at corner of Main Street and Route 9W, providing a safe house or two along the Underground Railroad.

While the historic achievement has not been forgotten — a sign marks the site of their since-demolished home and a block of Piermont Avenue is named after Cynthia Hesdra — Nyack officials next year plan to install a commemorative bench in Memorial Park to honor her remarkable life.

"This project can bring more attention to this period in history, which is somewhat obscured," said Bill Batson, chair of the Nyack Commemoration Committee, which was created earlier this year to mark the experiences, contributions and losses of blacks in Nyack.

New York abolished slavery in 1827.

On Tuesday, Batson was among a small cadre of dignitaries who gathered at the top of the park to announce the project, which will overlook the Hudson River and the property the Hesdras owned along the Nyack Brook. He noted the brook was used as a navigation tool by escaping slaves.

The memorial will become part of the Bench by the Road Project, an initiative created by the Toni Morrison Society in honor of the Grand View-on-Hudson resident and Nobel Prize-winning author. The society has placed 11 benches around the world to honor and recognize historical links of African slavery, with three more in the pipeline. There are benches in Sullivan's Island, S.C., Hattiesburg, Miss., and Fort-de-France, Martinique.

"Hesdra's story, one of slavery and freedom, of heartache and success, of her entrepreneurial spirit, as well as her compassion and activism, is just too significant not to be included among the visible narrative and pantheon of American public historical memory," Craig Stutman, co-chair of the Bench by the Road committee, said at the park.

The Nyack committee is looking to raise $20,000 to pay for the bench, signage and a special ceremony in May 18 to which Morrison will be invited.

To contribute or for more information about the project, visit www.nyackbench.org.