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Real New
York Tours
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Historic Harlem Tour |
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The name Harlem often conjures up many images, some factual and some fictional. Most people associate Harlem with its past of poverty and despair. But Harlem has had a rich history of spiritual, cultural, and monetary prosperity. Like most of New York City, the first settlements in Harlem were Native American. By 1658 many Dutch farmers were attracted to the rich, fertile soil and began to settle in. The Dutch called their new territory "Nieuw Harlem." Fourteen years later the first road was built connecting the southern tip of the Dutch colony in lower Manhattan to Nieuw Harlem. But it wasn't until 1879, when the third and second avenue elevated train lines were built that the population of Harlem began to rapidly increase.
Harlem at one time was home to the Irish, Russians, Hungarians, Italians, Germans, Scandinavians, Spanish, and had a community of over 80,000 Jews. It wasn't until the turn of the 20th century that African Americans began to settle in Harlem. All though the elevated trains brought new residents to Harlem, many entrepreneurs over speculated and were now left with their buildings sitting empty. The constant displacement of black communities throughout Manhattan left thousands of African Americans searching for a home they could call their own. By the 1920's you had over 83,000 African Americans living in Harlem and that number would soon double in size.
One of the most inspirational eras of Harlem history was know as "The Harlem Renaissance". Its heyday was between 1925-30. It was a time of artistic proliferation that covered the gamete of creative expression. Novelists, artists, playwrights, musicians, philosophers, made their way to Harlem to be a part of this great time in black history. It was a period of hope and optimism that altered the psyches of black America.
Unfortunately, the Harlem Renaissance was followed by one of the worst financial crisis in American history, the 1929 stock market crash. The hope and optimism of The Harlem Renaissance would come to end. Harlem would never recover from the crash of 1929 until the 1990's when Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, brought $300 million in development funds. Today you will find Ben & Jerry's, Starbucks, The Body Shop, Magic Johnson's Movie Theater, Bill Clinton's offices and other thriving business in the Harlem area bringing employment to the local community. Gentrification of course has its downfall with the price of rents skyrocketing in the area. Together we will explore the rich history Harlem has to offer. Sites include: Strivers Row, The Apollo Theater, Ex-Blumstein's Department Store, Bill Clinton's office, Jungle Alley, The Alhambra Ballroom, The Abyssinian Baptist Church, The Old Lafayette Theatre, Connie's Inn and much more. |
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