Warriors Seweckenamo and Kimlau: From Lenape Village to Chinatown

Bayer Lee, Photo Credit: Anthony Alvarez

LESPI Advisor Bayer Lee will present “Warriors Seweckenamo and Kimlau: From Lenape Village to Chinatown,” on Sunday, May 4, at 1:00 pm. This tour will trace the area’s rich history from the time it was a Native American village to the present day, as represented by Kimlau Square with its landmarked arch and statue of Chinese philosopher Lin Zexu (1785-1850).

Beginning at Collect Pond Park, once the site of a Lenape fresh water source, the tour will proceed to the heart of old Chinatown and through the notorious Five Points. Visits will include locations on Mott Street, Pell Street, and Doyers Street with its “Bloody Angle” and former Chinese theater. The tour will end at what was once called Chatham Square and is now promoted as Kimlau Square, which is in the midst of a proposed $55 million renovation.

2025 marks the 80th Anniversary of the Lt. B. R. Kimlau Post 1291 and the 400th Anniversary of Dutch colonization of Lower Manhattan, which is currently home to Chinese and others. The tour begins at the Collect Pond Park, location of the former Lenape fresh water reservoir. The tour then proceeds to the heart of old Chinatown through the old Five Point at Baxter and Worth, then through Mosco (Corky Lee Way) toward Mott Street noting address such as 5-7, 16, 24, 37, 38. On Pell Street, the tour will note 18, 24, 22 1/2, 21 (Hu Shih, Lee Towe Memorial). Stopping at the “Bloody Angle” to visit the former Chinese Theater and the current Mabel Lee Memorial Post Office on Doyers Street, the tour will end at Chatham Square, now promoted as Kimlau Square in a proposed 55 million dollar renovation.

Lin Zexu 

Lin Zexu (1785–1850) was a Chinese political philosopher and official of the Qing dynasty, best known for his role in the First Opium War (1839–1842). He was a strong advocate against the opium trade, leading efforts to suppress its importation into China. His actions, including the destruction of large quantities of opium, were a major catalyst for the war between China and Britain.

Beyond his anti-opium stance, Lin was a scholar-official and a proponent of reform, advocating for the revitalization of traditional Chinese institutions while recognizing the need for knowledge about Western technology. His work influenced later movements such as the Self-Strengthening Movement. 

His legacy remains significant in China, where he is regarded as a symbol of resistance against foreign exploitation and drug abuse. In fact, there is a statue of him in Chinatown, New York City, honoring his contributions.

About the Rev. Dr. Bayer Jack-Wah Lee

Rev. Lee has had extensive and wide-ranging professional experience as Pastor of First Chinese Baptist Church on Pell Street in Chinatown, Consulting Pastor of First Chinese Presbyterian Church on Henry and Market Streets, and as a preservationist working on the Historic American Building Survey and archeology of China’s Guangdong-Hong-Kong-Macao Great Bay Area. He has researched numerous historic topics including suffragette Mabel Lee, New York City’s First Chinese Baptist Church, and Chinatown’s growth and development. Rev. Lee has been with LESPI since 2023.

Distinguished speaker Reverend Bayer Lee discuss Chinese and American women’s impact on the US suffrage movement in this lecture from Marble House entitled Our Sisters in China are Free:' Chinese Women’s Contributions to US Suffrage at the Preservation Society of Newport County.

The Preservation Society of Newport County is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect, preserve, and present an exceptional collection of house museums and landscapes in one of the most historically intact cities in America.

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About the Jane’s Walk NYC 2025 Series

Jane’s Walk 2025 is May 2nd, 3rd, and 4th! Registration is now open, so sign-up today and join us this  May of our annual celebration of New York City life, history, advocacy, culture, and more!

Guided Tour by Rev. Dr. Bayer Jack-Wah Lee

• Sunday, May 4, 2025
• 1:00 PM
• 90 minutes
• Borough: Manhattan
• Theme: Art & Architecture, History & Culture
• Language: English

Accessibility

The entire tour is a relatively short direct 15 min. street level walk with no stairs. There are nearby subway stations stopping at Canal Street and buses down on Worth Street.

Location Information

RSVP is required and capacity is limited. Meeting location, ending location, and directions will be provided via email before walk date.

Register