#Thread:

Aight so boom . I see this house listing on @zillow. I recognize it immediately. I’ve seen it during my walks in Brooklyn. The price tag is WILD. I’m wondering, “Why is this so much $$?”

(If you know the house...don’t give it away until I’m done with the thread.

I call my friend @TenyseW. Her family is BROOKLYN. They were here during Weeksville’s reign. I ask her, “Do you know this house?” She says, “Yes! What is it?”

I’m like, “Okay, it’s not just me.”

She suggests that we take a history trip. So we do. Y’all know I’m dramatic.

We meet up on Fulton Ave & we start walking through Bedstuy to the home. When we arrive it’s even more phenomenal up close. I’ve never really stopped to fully take it in.

And then something plucked at my heart. It’s an energy thing. A “dig deeper” feeling.

But here’s the most noticeable thing. It’s a sign atop the door:

It says, “1888-1988 Eastern District Grand Tent #3; Grand United Order of Tents Bklyn.”

We start researching it and we find out that the house is owned by an organization started in 1867, by two formerly enslaved Black women:

The United Order of Tents.

Us: WHOA.

The United Order of Tents is the oldest benefit society in the United States for Black women.

Yallllllllllllllll.
#WomensHistoryMonth

They’re a semi-secret organization that’s been the backbone of Black America for generations. In recent years they’ve become more well known due to their efforts and triumphs being published.

Annetta M. Lane and Harriet Taylor are the founders. Annetta was a nurse...

And why the name?

Annetta and Harriet had two white men (abolitionists) help them to officially incorporate the organization in 1867.

Not. Even. Two. Years. After. The. End. Of. Slavery.

That’s a major key.

So y’all know I took it to the archives, right? A Google search will not suffice.

A quick zoom-in on the article I dropped earlier & it’s...

“The clergymen cannot find out anything...”

...for me.

One day, I’ll dive into the Black Women’s Club Movement in more depth, but...can you imagine being a nurturer, giver, healer, someone who births worlds & assists in establishing independence...and then being told, “You don’t belong here.”

The United Order of Tents said...

Let’s dig into some of these archives.

“500 additional members...”

The Grand United Order of Tents were pulling NUMBERS.

Here is the original headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia.

It’s the exclusivity for me.

Here is a rendering of their “Rest Haven for The Aged” located in Hampton, VA.

Their impact is seen throughout history...They sponsored events when we were forbidden from entering certain spaces; they received a grant from HUD to provide us housing, supported our next generations, etc.

And then I found this amazing article by @surlybassey (BECAUSE WHO ELSE COULD WRITE THIS INCREDIBLE PIECE!!)...

And I was in tears. This is legacy. Such a beautiful legacy. It is a MUST READ. https://www.lennyletter.com/story/secrets-of-the-south

Oh, and remember the listing? The WILD price tag?! It was a game listing for a history scavenger hunt. The home is not for sale. https://www.brownstoner.com/real-estate-market/united-order-of-tents-mansion-87-macdonough-street-zillow-listing-brooklyn-bed-stuy-black-women/

I also just found out that @BKLYNlibrary is having an event about The United Order of Tents on March 13th!

https://www.bklynlibrary.org/calendar/who-owns-87-macdonough-virtual-20210313

Covered all of this on my IG stores a few weeks ago. If you want to watch it...head to my highlights on

http://Instagram.com/EricaBuddington 

Oh and because I know you’re going to head into a wormhole...because there is SO MUCH MORE TO LEARN about The Grand United Order of Tents....

Happy Researching!