This fascinating work takes readers on a 350-year-long journey, introducing the people, places, activities, and movements that have characterized this justly celebrated black enclave.

Harlem: From Dutch Suburb to Black Metropolis surveys this historic New York City neighborhood from its founding as the Dutch village of Nieuw Haarlem in the 1650s. The story encompasses Harlem as a suburb for wealthy New Yorkers during the 19th century, its evolution as a black city-within-a-city beginning in the early 20th century, and its second renaissance in modern times.



Readers will learn about the storied Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s, about the area's decline during and after the Great Depression, and about the political activism of the 1950s and 1960s. They will meet major players in the story, all of whom are discussed in the context of their contributions to the Harlem community and, ultimately, to the larger world community. Finally, they will experience Harlem in the 21st century as a sought-after address for young New Yorkers seeking historic housing with a cultural legacy.




20-30 photos, posters, and memorabilia

A glossary of terms used to describe the people, places, and events of this historic enclave

A bibliography that includes resources from archives, historical societies, and institutional collections