Downing's Oyster House

Goals:

Aim
How did African-American entrepreneurs contribute to the antebellum economy of New York City?

At the conclusion of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Assess the contributions of entrepreneurs such as Thomas Downing to the economy and social life of antebellum New York
• Identify the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur
• Contrast the image of a wealthy, successful free African American to the commonly-held image of antebellum African Americans as poor and enslaved

Essential Questions:

• What role did African-American owned businesses and communities play in the expansion of New York City?