New York - Harlem

The Abyssinian Baptist Church is New York's oldest black church. It was founded in 1808 and became famous through its pastor, Adam Clayton Powell, a congressman and civil rights leader. Under him this became the most powerful black church in the country.

The African American Wax Museum features statues of black American historical figures such as Martin Luther King and Malcolm X as well as paintings and sculptures.

The Apollo Theater began as a whites-only opera house in 1914. In 1934, white entrepreneur, Frank Schiffman, took over the venue and opened it to all races.

The Apollo has been a premier venue for black America's showcase of music. Legends such as Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Dinah Washington have graced its stage. James Brown's 1962 concert here is a classic record.

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Aunt Len's Doll and Toy Museum contains over 5,000 dolls and toys belonging to Mrs. Lennon H. Hoyte, a retired schoolteacher. To enter, you must arrange a visit with Mrs. Hoyte.

The City College of the City University of New York is set atop a hill adjoining Hamilton Heights. The campus features an impressive Gothic quadrangle built in 1903 and 1907.

Only the nearby Apollo Theater can rival The Cotton Club for black musical history. The establishment began as Club De Lux and was changed to the current name in 1923. As Harlem's most famous jazz club in the twenties and thirties, featured entertainers included Duke Ellington, Lena Horne, Josephine Baker and many others.

Though not an official attraction, the market opposite Sylvia's soul food restaurant is noted for its food, African clothing, jewelry and art. The market extends for a few blocks in both directions.

The Harlem YMCA was the setting of the stage debuts of Paul Robeson and many others in the twenties. W.E.B. Du Bois' Krigga Players organized shows in the basement before heading on to Broadway reviews. The Y was also the first Harlem home to writers such as Ralph Ellison.

Marcus Garvey Park is dedicated to the black nationalist leader. The park sits atop a hilly, rocky two-block square. There is a fire watchtower (the city's last) with an observation deck.

The Mount Morris Historical District was once a neighborhood occupied by German Jews in late-nineteenth century Victorian townhouses. Sadly, the area has deteriorated. Its saving graces are churches such as St. Martin's Episcopal and Mt. Oliver Baptist (201 Lenox Avenue), plus Temple Israel.

The section on the National Register is roughly bounded by Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard and Mt. Morris Park W. from W. 118th to W. 124th Streets.

The Schomburg Center for Research into Black Culture is a library that opened in 1991, dedicated to the research of black and African culture. The collection was assembled by a black Puerto Rican-American, Arthur Schomburg, who was told by a teacher that "black history" did not exist. In the twenties, the library was the gathering place of famed writers Langston Hughes, W.E.B. du Bois, Zora Neale Hurston and others.

The St. Nicholas Historic District is known as the King Model Row Houses built in 1891. Successful blacks lived here in the twenties and thirties including musicians W.C. Handy and Eubie Blake.

The Studio Museum In Harlem is an impressive five-storey museum devoted to art by African-Americans. The photo archives offer a rich history of Harlem.

Sylvia's is Harlem's legendary soul food restaurant, serving southern fried chicken, saucy ribs, black-eyed peas and candied yams. Sunday brunch is served with the music of gospel singers.