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History. Culture.
Education. Healing.

Preserving the Black experience in the Hudson Valley.

Our Goal, Vision & Commitment

Donate, Volunteer

A home for history

The Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis Center for Black History and Culture (MWLC) at the historic Ann Oliver House preserves the Black experience in the Hudson Valley using the lens of free and enslaved lives in Ulster County, New York. The mission of the center is to engage, empower, educate, and heal the community through history and culture.

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Upcoming Events

  • It Takes A Village Fundraising Campaign
    It Takes A Village Fundraising Campaign
    Oct 09, 2024, 7:00 PM – Oct 09, 2026, 11:59 PM
    Online only
    We are excited to announce our fundraising efforts for the renovation of a historic house in New Paltz into a cultural center focused on black history. This project will provide a space for education, celebration, and community empowerment.
  • The Dr. Wade-Lewis Summer Birthday Ice Cream Social
    The Dr. Wade-Lewis Summer Birthday Ice Cream Social
    Jul 27, 2025, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
    New Paltz, 5 Broadhead Ave, New Paltz, NY 12561, USA
    What better way to celebrate the born day of Dr. Wade-Lewis’s and the legacy she left behind with one of her favorite treats, ICE CREAM! Join us for an ice cream social birthday event on SUNDAY, JULY 27, 2025, from 2p-4pm at 5 Broadhead Ave, New Paltz, NY. Donation Ticket Suggestion: $10.00
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Built for community

A two story, 1232 sqaure foot frame house built in 1885, The Ann Oliver house is cultural artifact of Black history in New Paltz and the only house from the historic free Black neighborhood that will be preserved and owned by the Black community.

Our Mission

Many hands make light work

We believe that it is important to remember and honor the lives of the people who helped to shape our community. By preserving the history of the Black experience in the Hudson Valley, we hope to promote greater understanding and appreciation of the contributions that Black people have made to our society.

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“Freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation.”

 Coretta Scott King

It takes a village

Our network of incredible community partners help us realize the dream of restoring the historic Anne Oliver House and offering educational programming.

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“I'm filled mostly with a sense of pride & peace because of the rich Black History that has occupied this landscape called New Paltz for more than a century. I'm looking forward to seeing the Historic Oliver House becoming the home to the Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis Black Cultural Center...”

Diana Francis, Resident

We need your support today!

Black History. Our History.

Let's connect and learn from one another.

Email: info@mwlcenter.org

Registered Charity
Tax Exempt #: 883769729

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The Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis Center for Black History and Culture © 2024 

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