Sandy Ground Historical Society

06/16/2026

Learning beyond the classroom.

Students from Harborview Elementary spent the day exploring marine life, coastal restoration, and environmental stewardship along Staten Island's shoreline.

From discovering crabs and shrimp to learning how Living Breakwaters help protect coastal communities, students experienced science through hands-on exploration.

The American Museum of Natural History also documented the experience.

Because some of the best classrooms are found right at the water's edge.

06/16/2026

Science, exploration, and discovery in Staten Island's shoreline.

Students from PS 59 The Harbor View School recently spent the day at Robinson Beach learning about marine ecosystems, coastal restoration, and the importance of protecting our shoreline.

From discovering marine life to learning how Living Breakwaters support healthier coastal habitats, students experienced environmental education through hands-on exploration.

The American Museum of Natural History also documented the experience.

See highlights from a day filled with learning, curiosity, and discovery.

Thank you to everyone from the Billion Oyster Project, American Museum of Natural History, and the volunteers of The Sandy Ground Historical Society and school officials.

Which photo is your favorite?

05/22/2026

Today, we proudly celebrate Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro Day.

This special day recognizes a lifetime of service, leadership, teaching, and dedication to preserving the authentic history of Sandy Ground.

Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro was born and raised in Sandy Ground, and she continues to love, worship, serve, teach, and preserve history in the community she calls home.

For years, Sylvia has served as the voice and face of the Sandy Ground Historical Society, helping carry forward the story of one of America’s oldest continually inhabited Free African American communities.

In recognition of her lifelong contributions, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella proclaimed May 22 as “Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro Day” in Staten Island.

These photos from the proclamation celebration with family and Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella remind us that Sylvia’s work has not only preserved history — it has helped put Sandy Ground and Staten Island on the map.

Today, we honor her life, her legacy, her family, her teaching, and her unwavering commitment to authentic history.

Please join us in celebrating Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro. Leave a message of love, gratitude, or appreciation in the comments.

05/21/2026

Some people talk about preserving history.
Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro lives it.

These photos from the 2025 Black Heritage Parade show Sylvia doing what she has done for generations — showing up, representing, and carrying the name of the Sandy Ground Historical Society with pride.

Seen here participating in her Sandy Ground shirt, alongside community members and New York State Assemblyman Charles Fall, Sylvia reminds us that preservation is not only something kept inside museum walls.

It is carried into the streets, into public spaces, into classrooms, into families, and into every place where authentic history deserves to be seen and heard.

As the heart, soul, voice, and face of the Sandy Ground Historical Society, Sylvia has used her gifts, her voice, and her life’s work to carry forward a mission much bigger than herself.

This was never just a role.
It was a calling.

Born and raised in Sandy Ground, Sylvia continues to love, worship, serve, teach, and preserve history in the community she calls home. Her dedication reflects a responsibility passed down through generations — from the founding families of Harrisville aka Africa aka Little Africa, now Sandy Ground, to the generations still learning this powerful story today.

Through her teaching and lifelong service, Sylvia has helped preserve the authentic history of one of the oldest continually inhabited Free African American communities in the United States.

A history of faith.
A history of freedom.
A history of land ownership.
A history of family, resilience, prosperity, and peace during a time when many were told such a thing was impossible.

In recognition of her lifelong contributions, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella proclaimed May 22 as “Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro Day” in Staten Island.
This history is alive.

05/21/2026

History can be preserved in many ways — through stories, artifacts, teaching, memory, and art.

This painting, Harrisville, is an original work by Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro and part of her art collection inspired by her childhood growing up in Sandy Ground and the history she has carried throughout her life.

Through this piece, Sylvia captures more than buildings and land. She helps us see the early settlement of Harrisville — the homes, the families, the daily life, and the spirit of one of America’s earliest Free Black communities.

Her artwork has been exhibited in many places, helping bring the story of Sandy Ground beyond the museum walls and into spaces where more people could see, feel, and understand this authentic history.

Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro was born and raised in Sandy Ground, and she continues to love, worship, serve, teach, and preserve history in the community she calls home.

For years, she has been the voice and face of the Sandy Ground Historical Society, carrying forward the authentic history of Sandy Ground with pride, care, creativity, and purpose.

In recognition of her lifelong contributions, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella proclaimed May 22 as “Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro Day” in Staten Island.

Sylvia’s painting reminds us that preservation is not only about protecting the past — it is about helping future generations see where they come from, understand what was built, and honor the people who made that history possible.

What part of Sandy Ground’s history do you hope more people come to know?

05/19/2026

When Dr. Maya Angelou came to the Sandy Ground Historical Society as a keynote speaker for Black History Month, it was a powerful reminder that Sandy Ground’s story reaches far beyond one community.

This photo captures a meaningful moment with Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro, her daughter Juile Moody Lewis, and Elmo Tayler during that special visit. The photo with Maya Angelo is courtesy of the Staten Island advance

Sandy Ground’s history speaks to freedom, faith, family, resilience, and the authentic history of one of America’s earliest Free Black communities. That is why the work of preserving and teaching this story matters so deeply.

Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro was born and raised in Sandy Ground, and she continues to love, worship, serve, teach, and preserve history in the community she calls home.

For years, Sylvia has been the voice and face of the Sandy Ground Historical Society, helping welcome visitors, educate families, and share Sandy Ground’s legacy with people from near and far.

In recognition of her lifelong contributions, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella proclaimed May 22 as “Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro Day” in Staten Island.

This photo reminds us that when authentic history is preserved and shared, it has the power to inspire generations — from the people who lived it, to the people who come to learn from it.

Who is someone who helped you appreciate history, culture, or community legacy?

05/19/2026

Family, community, faith, and history all come together in the life and legacy of Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro.

As we continue honoring Sylvia leading up to Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro Day on May 22, we celebrate not only her public contributions, but also the love and foundation that surround her.

Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro was born and raised in Sandy Ground, and she continues to love, worship, serve, teach, and preserve history in the community she calls home.

For years, she has been the voice and face of the Sandy Ground Historical Society, helping carry the authentic history of Sandy Ground forward with pride, strength, and purpose.

In recognition of her lifelong contributions, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella proclaimed May 22 as “Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro Day” in Staten Island.

These family photos remind us that legacy is not only found in museums, archives, and history books. Legacy is also found in family, love, laughter, memory, and the generations who continue the story.

Please join us in celebrating Sylvia’s life, family, leadership, and lasting impact.

05/13/2026

As we continue our countdown to Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro Day on May 22, we honor one of the most powerful parts of Sylvia’s legacy: her role as a teacher and keeper of authentic history.

In this photo, courtesy of the Staten Island Advance Sylvia, she is doing what she has done for generations — sitting with young people, sharing knowledge, and helping them understand the deep history of Sandy Ground.

As a descendant of Moses Harris, and as someone born, raised, and still worshiping in Sandy Ground, Sylvia’s connection to this community is personal, ancestral, and lifelong.

Her work has helped make sure the story of Sandy Ground is not only preserved, but taught with pride — to children, families, visitors, researchers, and communities far beyond Staten Island.

In recognition of her lifelong contributions, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella proclaimed May 22 as “Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro Day” on Staten Island.

Over the next few days, we will continue celebrating Sylvia’s life, leadership, teaching, and the community she has helped strengthen.

What do you hope young people learn from the life, legacy, and work of Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro?

05/13/2026

Today, The Sandy Ground Historical Society begins our celebration leading up to Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro Day on May 22.

In this photo, Sylvia stands in Harlem, New York, in front of the Harriet Tubman statue — a powerful symbol of freedom, courage, and the responsibility to carry history forward.

That connection matters.

Sandy Ground holds a pivotal place in American history as a free African American community with deep ties to the Underground Railroad. Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro was born and raised in Sandy Ground, and she continues to love, worship, serve, teach, and preserve history in the community she calls home.

Through her voice, presence, and lifelong commitment to preserving authentic history, Sylvia has helped bring the story of Sandy Ground and Staten Island to people far beyond the local community — including audiences outside of the United States.

In recognition of her lifelong contributions, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella proclaimed May 22 as “Sylvia Moody D’Alessandro Day” on Staten Island.

Please join us as we honor Sylvia’s life, leadership, teaching, and legacy.

Help us celebrate by sharing this post and leaving a message of appreciation for Sylvia in the comments.

01/18/2025

IN HONOR OF DR.MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

Visit the post for more.