Mount Morris Park Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mount Morris Park Historic District
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 Location in Manhattan
Location in New York City
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| Location | Bounded roughly by Lenox Ave., Mount Morris Park West, and W. 124th and W. 119th Sts., (original) Roughly bounded by Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. and Mt. Morris Park W. from W. 118th to W. 124th Sts., (increase), New York, New York |
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| Built | 1878 |
| Architect | Multiple; including in the increase: Angell, Edward L.; Baxter, Charles |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne, Late 19th- and 20th-century Revivals, Romanesque (original) Beaux Arts, Second Empire, Renaissance (increase) |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001221 |
| Added to NRHP | February 6, 1973 (original) May 24, 1996 (increase) |
The Mount Morris Park Historic District is a special area in Harlem, New York City. It was named a historic district in 1971. This means its buildings and streets are protected because they are important to history. The district covers 16 blocks in west central Harlem. Its borders are West 118th and West 124th Streets, Fifth Avenue, and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard (also known as Seventh Avenue). A famous part of the area is "Doctor's Row" on West 122nd Street. The father of famous composer Richard Rodgers lived there. The heart of the district, Mount Morris Square, is now called Marcus Garvey Park.
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Exploring the Early History of Mount Morris Park
Before Europeans arrived, Native Americans used the rocky hill in this area. It was a perfect lookout spot to see across the whole island. During the American Revolutionary War, soldiers from Germany, called Hessians, set up cannons here. They could control the Harlem River from this high point.
How Mount Morris Park Got Its Name
The name "Mount Morris" for this rocky hill came about in the 1800s. The Dutch had called it the "Ronde Gerbergte," meaning "Round Mountain." A smaller hill nearby was flattened when the New York and Harlem Railroad was built. This railroad now follows the path of Park Avenue.
Creating Mount Morris Square
On September 4, 1839, a large area of about 20 acres (81,000 square meters) was set aside for a park. This park was planned to use the natural rocky landscape. "Mount Morris Square" officially opened on December 1, 1840. However, it wasn't improved until 1869. That's when a city surveyor named Ignaz Pilat designed its beautiful gardens.
Unique Architecture in the District
The Mount Morris Park Historic District is filled with old row houses and churches. Many of these buildings look just as they did long ago. You can see different styles like Romanesque Revival, neo-Grec, and Queen Anne. These styles were popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 also influenced the unique look of the buildings.
Community Life and Preservation Efforts
In the 1930s, Robert Moses, a New York City Parks Commissioner, added playgrounds and a swimming pool to the park. The famous Boys Choir of Harlem was started in this neighborhood in 1968.
Renaming the Park and Protecting History
In 1973, the park's name was changed to Marcus Garvey Park. This honored Marcus Garvey, an important leader of the Pan-African movement. This movement worked for the unity and independence of African people worldwide. Also in 1973, part of the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places important to American history.
The Mount Morris Park Community Association
The Mount Morris Park Community Association (MMPCIA) was formed in 1981. This group works to protect historic buildings like the Apollo Theatre and the National Black Theatre. They also support places like the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the Studio Museum in Harlem. Every June, the MMPCIA hosts tours of historic brownstone homes. This lets the public see inside these beautiful landmark buildings. In 1996, the historic district was made even larger. It now includes more blocks to the west and south.
