Harlem’s New Historic District Brings Nostalgia Back
By Breona Couloote
Anita Florence has lived in Harlem all her life. Every morning, she walked passed historic buildings on her way to school without noticing. “At the time, I really didn’t care,” says Florence. Being a young girl, I had no idea about the importance of Harlem history.”
But her 10th grade social studies teacher helped her understand the significance of Harlem in American history. She taught Florence and her classmates about famous civil rights leaders, such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., and the speeches they gave right here in Harlem. “You know, people always talk about the South [in regards to the Civil Rights Movement],” Florence states. “More people need to know about Harlem’s role in the Civil Rights Movement.”
From the culture to the architecture, Harlem has been a dominant historical presence. And late last month, it became even richer.
On September 26th, The New York City Council approved the Landmarks Preservation Commission of Central Harlem designation of a historic district, spanning West 130th Street to West 132nd Street between Seventh Avenue (Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard) and Lenox Avenue (Malcolm X Boulevard). In May, Landmarks Preservation Commission of Central Harlem designated this area as historic district but still needed city council’s approval to make it official.
Here are some interesting buildings you should look out for in the newly designated region:
Famous Residents
Throughout the early 20th century, many popular musicians and artists lived within this three-block radius. Ragtime musician Scott Joplin, known for “Maple Leaf Rag,”, lived on West 131 Street. Renowned painter Romare Bearden, artist Winfred Russell, musician James Reese Europe and photographer Edward Elcha all lived a few doors down from each other.
Performance Centers
Several of these performers and other affluent members of society lived in this area of Harlem in order to be close to the theaters and centers located around the community. The Lafayette Theater used to be on West 132nd and Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard before being demolished in 2013. This theater was one of the first to hold a segregated audience.The oldest African-American musician association, New Amsterdam Musical Association is also located on 107 130th Street.
Civil Rights
These blocks, in particular, hold some rich history about Harlem. Friendship Baptist Church was very active during the Civil Rights Movement. In fact, Martin Luther King Jr gave a sermon in this church in 1955. Located on 146 West 131st Street, this church also served as the headquarters of March on Washington.
Architecture
The buildings on these three blocks are comprised of four unique types of 19th century architecture: Neo-Grec, Queen Anne, Renaissance Revival and Romanesque.
Organizers hope the designation of this new historic district can lead more individuals inside and outside the community to know more about Central Harlem’s history and importance of society. “Local businesses will profit off of tourist coming to take pictures of these blocks” says long-time resident Samantha Lawson. “Hopefully, this will encourage kids to learn more about the community that they live in.”
For more, click here for a virtual tour of Central Harlem, West 130th-132nd Streets Historic District:
