Experience the momentous impact of Black culture in New York City.
New York City is an epicenter of calamitous history and culture . A community that began with the metropolis ’s first Black settlement ( “ landed estate of the Blacks ” ) , set up by posterity of enslaved Africans in the seventeenth century , has only been made stronger with each fresh wafture of migration , from every side of the Atlantic .
Two million Black NYC residents ( whose roots can be traced from the American South and West Africa to the Caribbean and many more plaza ) make up23.4%of the metropolis ’s population and express their various culture through music , art , food for thought , and community . And when it comes to honoring the journeys of preceding generation , there ’s a riches of easily approachable resources .
From historical homes and public parks to eventful monuments and vivacious enclave , Black history in New York City coincides with the history of the urban center itself . Here are 17 lieu you could experience the momentous shock of grim culture in New York City .
“Here to Stay” permanent exhibit at The Louis Armstrong Center in Corona, Queens|Photo courtesy of The Louis Armstrong Center
Black historical sites in Manhattan
African Burial Ground National Monument
Civic CenterNear the Jacob Javits Federal Building on Broadway and Reade lies theremains of well-nigh 15,000 enslaved and detached Africansunearthed in 1991 during build building . In the 1620s , the Dutch introduced slavery to New Amsterdam ( now New York City ) and Africans were interred singly on the outskirts of the metropolis from Dutch colonial earned run average through the British takeover in 1664 . The burial ground close in 1794 with the expansion of the metropolis northwards . This five - Accho public space is now a National Historic Landmark stretching from Foley Park to City Hall Park , with a granite sculpture commemorate the Middle Passage . Currently , a few of the monument ’s feature are closed to the public due to safe concerns , including the Ancestral Chamber .
El Barrio
East HarlemStretching several blocks from East 96th to East 125th Street towards the East River , this area was rest home to preponderantly German and Italian immigrant until after World War II , when Puerto Rican , Dominican Republic , and Haitian immigrant afterwards arrive . Also know as Spanish Harlem , El Barrio offers murals , restaurants , gardens , and residential area centers which reflect the rich tapis of Afro - Latinx , Latinx , and Caribbean cultures that make up the neighborhood . Virtual toursof the region are available fromEl Museo del Barrio , a historic museum showcasing Latinx and Caribbean art .
Seneca Village
Central ParkThe domain of West 82nd to West 89th Street , in what ’s now know as Central Park , was once the land site of a thrivingAfrican American community . Founded by liberal Black the great unwashed in 1825 , Seneca Village ’s universe would eventually blossom to let in churches , shoal , and graveyard . With the commissioning of Central Park , the community of interests was force out in 1857 after it was mark a “ shantytown ” and asperse by the press . The resident disbanded without a trace and the village ’s history was lost until excavations in the early to mid 2000s uncovered food waste , cutting tool , and more artefact . Currently , plaques commemorating the emplacement can be found within Central Park , and The Met has an ongoing exhibit give to the land site titled , Before Yesterday We Could wing : An Afrofuturist Period Room .
The Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Education Center
Washington HeightsThe Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Education Center strives to memorialize the legacies of human right activists Malcolm X and his wife Dr. Betty Shabazz . In computer memory of the married couple ’s impact on New York City and the country , the center preserves historic Black sites , organizes community event , and hosts a range of mountains of educational classes .
Mannahatta Park
fiscal DistrictIn 1711 , a municipal market auctioning enslaved Africans as jack was launch in Downtown Manhattan , in what is now the Wall Street area between Pearl Street and Water Street . The market continued to run until 1726 , also trade corn and grain , staples in the colonial - era dieting . Presently , the area is have it away as Mannahatta Park , an open space with benches and a panorama of the East River .
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
HarlemWoodrowFounded in 1925 during the Harlem Renaissance byArturo A. Schomburg , an intellect deliver in Puerto Rico to a Black mother and clean father , the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is devoted to the enquiry and expo of materials relate to African American and African Diaspora experience . Over his years , Schomburg amassed a large collection of books , art , writings , manuscript and diary , which were purchase by the 135th Street branch of the New York Public Library in 1926 .
Strivers’ Row
West 138th and 139th Streets between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Frederick Douglass BoulevardOriginally called King Model Houses , Strivers ’ course is now know as the St. Nicholas Historic District , and is a landmark - delegate site comprise of row household work up in 1891 - 93 . locate on two different metropolis street that are sandwich between large avenues , “ Striver ” was the colloquial name give to this enclave as up mobile African Americans began moving into the domain in the early 1920s . It ’s a popular walk attraction for its variety of architectural styles as well as the chance to see homes once inhabited by renowned name in music , political relation , and amusement including tap dancer Bill “ Bojangles ” Robinson and Adam Clayton Powell Jr , the renowned Congressman for whom the boulevard is named .
Black historical sites in Brooklyn
Little Caribbean
Prospect - Lefferts GardensLocated within Prospect - Lefferts Gardens and its main avenues of Flatbush , Church , and Nostrand , Little Caribbean in Brooklyn has the largest and most diverse population of Caribbean people outside the island . With plenty of local eating house , shops , and little businesses to justify the form of address , Shelley Worrell ofcaribBEING — an enterprise highlighting Caribbean culture , biotic community , and commerce — led the attempt to designate the community with its prescribed soubriquet in 2017 . In November 2021 , the MTA alsonamedthe Newkirk Avenue Station Little Haiti , recognizing the contributions of the Haitian community of interests asthe biggest immigrant group in Flatbush .
Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts
Fort GreeneFounded in 1999 by Laurie Cumbo , theMuseum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts ( MoCADA)puts on educational programming , artistry exhibition , and community result related to progeny present by those of the African Diaspora . Current programs admit theBandung Residency , aimed to foster solidarity between AAPI and Black communities . MoCADA is open to tour and take volunteers for events .
Weeksville Heritage Center
Crown HeightsFounded in 1838,Weeksvillewas nominate after James Weeks , the first African American human beings to purchase a plot of land of country in this region of Brooklyn . Over clip , the community spring up and became self - sufficient with legion bootleg professionals and entrepreneurs , schools , and clubs . In 1863 , it suffice as a safe haven for African Americans fleeing ferocity in Manhattan and those who participated in abolitionist movements . Over decades , the community of interests faded , but in 1968 , it was re - discovered by historiographer James Hurley , who worked with volunteer and research worker todocument the historyof Weeksville . Remnants of this once - thriving biotic community are experience in theHistoric Hunterfly Road Houses , now reinstate and undefended at Weeksville Heritage Center . The centre now holds Black Diaspora artistry exhibitions , archival photo collections , and educational computer programming about the community .
Black historical sites in Queens
Archie Spigner Park
St. AlbansAddisleigh Park in St. Albans , Queens , is a historical locality once famous for its Black malarkey player resident physician like Ella Fitzgerald and John Coltrane . In the other 1940s , even with widespreadJim Crow lawsthat forbade them from living in neighbourhood with a bulk white population , Black player and families begin move into this racially restrictive area . In 1948 , the Supreme Court case ofShelley v. Kraemerruled these racial limitation as unconstitutional , and Black families moved into the area — withdraw to its seclusion and distance . Renamed in 2022 by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreations as Archie Spigner Park , a Musician ’s Oval was unveiled to honour the numerous grim malarky celebrities who once called Addisleigh Park home plate .
Lewis H. Latimer House Museum
FlushingBorn in 1848 to escaped enslaved masses , Lewis H. Latimer attend to in the Union Navy during the Civil War . A gifted engineer , Latimer work for the United States Electric Light Company after the warfare , where , in 1879 , he patented improvements to the incandescent ignition system that would at long last be used around the world . The self - teach discoverer also worked under Alexander Graham Bell and for Thomas Edison as master locomotive engineer . Latimer lived in this menage until his pass in 1928 . In 1988 , the landmarked home was moved to its present location to avoid demolition . The Lewis H. Latimer House is a cultural insane asylum offering educational programs in scientific discipline , art , poetry , and is dedicated to innovators of coloring material who have contribute inventions to American life .
Louis Armstrong House MuseumandThe Louis Armstrong Center
CoronaAfter growing up in New Orleans , Louis Armstrong — one of the most popular jazz trumpeters of all time — and his Bronx native wife , Lucille , choose a home in Corona , Queens , as their residence . Today , the Louis Armstrong House is a National Historic Landmark that preserves the legacy of the artist . Visitors can listen to trump recording , audio cartridge clip of Louis ’ voice , and view his Japanese - inspire garden . On the 80th anniversary of the couple incite onto the stoppage in 2023 , Armstrong ’s bequest was further preserve on 107th Street in Corona with the debut of the The Louis Armstrong Center . locate across the street from the museum , the United States Department of State - of - the - artistic creation center is home to the 60,000 - piece Louis Armstrong Archive ( the large on record book for a jazz artist ) ; a 75 - seat operation venue;Here to Stay , a permanent exhibit covering Armstrong ’s lifetime ; andArmstrong Now , an artist - in - residence program featuring contemporary Black artists .
The Olde Towne of Flushing Burial Ground
Underground Railroad Safe Houses
FlushingFlushing , Queens , has also beendocumentedas a part of the Underground Railroad — a clandestine meshing of people , house , and path that transported Africans get out captivity in the South to exemption in the North — and one of its most important block wasBowne House . As the oldest building in Queens , built in 1661 , the house evidence the story of the Bowne family ’s abolitionist body process and their role in anti - slavery movements . Not only is it an official New York City landmark , but it ’s also on the National Register of Historic Places . Do n’t miss another historic turning point relate to the Underground Railroad in the neighbourhood : theFlushing Quaker Meeting Housewas built in 1694 by John Bowne and other Quakers as a repository to early spiritual exemption in the colonial United States .
Black historical sites on Staten Island
Audre Lord Residence
Stapleton HeightsThe Staten Island dwelling house of Black sapphic author and activist Audre Lorde , where she resided from 1972 to 1987 with her collaborator and two children , was officially deemed a NYC Landmark in June of 2019 . Here , she worked on various books and verse form and also atomic number 27 - foundedKitchen Table : woman of Color Presswith fellow writer and famed Black sapphic feminist Barbara Smith .
Sandy Ground Historical Society
WoodrowIn the 1830s , Sandy Ground was a thriving community of spare African Americans . Now , it ’s the oldest , continuously inhabited spare Black small town in the US . Like many African American men who initially settle in the field , Captain John Jackson , the first document opprobrious man to buy land here , was tempt by body of work and land possession prospects on Staten Island . Once previously appoint “ Little Africa , ” Sandy Ground is on the National Register of Historic Places , and descendant of the original settler still reside in the community . The site is still under archeologic subject and its museum retain African American traditions like puff - making , music , and artistic production , for visitors to get .
The Met’s ongoing exhibit on Seneca Village, Before Yesterday We Could Fly: An Afrofuturist Period Room|Photo courtesy The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Weeksville Heritage Center
Exterior of The Louis Armstrong Center in Corona, Queens|Photo courtesy of The Louis Armstrong Center
