Manhattan-Ville Heritage Society

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Manhattan-Ville Heritage Society

UPPER MANHATTAN GATEWAY.

Manhattanville formed in 1806 and flourished during the 1800s as the west side counterpart to its parent village of Harlem. The wide valley around present-day Broadway and 125th Street formed a unique gateway to the Hudson River between Morningside Heights and Washington Heights. Although rural, Manhattanville was the convergence of river, railroad and stage lines, representing one of 19th-century New York City?’s most significant, residential, manufacturing and transportation hubs. As fate would have it, this once-prominent upper Manhattan suburb eventually succumbed to the advent of mass transit and its distinctive features were absorbed by the city in chase.

GEORGE WASHINGTON STEPPED HERE!

Steeped in Revolutionary War history, Manhattanville's valley was known as the ''Hollow Way'' where Gen. George Washington's American patriots trumphed over British troops at the Battle of Harlem Heights on September 16, 1776. Today, the Riverside Drive Viaduct (just behind Grant's Tomb) and the elevated tracks of the Broadway IRT line are architectural icons of the area's unique landscape. Other landmarks include New York's first ''free pew'' Episcopal church, where patriots, Tories, and African-American abolitionists convened (and today, Harlem's oldest continuing congregation on the same site), as well as Harlem's last affiliated Jewish synagogue. Notable residents of Manhattanville included founders Jacob and Hannah Lawrence Schieffelin, clothier Daniel Devlin and New York City Mayor Daniel F. Tiemann. Manhattanville was widely recognized as a seat of numerous religious, educational, social and philanthropic institutions.

OUR MISSION:

The aim of THE MANHATTAN-VILLE HERITAGE SOCIETY is:

* to promote awareness of the rich history of the West Harlem neighborhood of Manhattanville to residents and visitors alike;

* to commemorate sites, people and events of historic and cultural significance to the area;

* to encourage further research of the Manhattanville area.

Join in unfolding Harlem's & New York City's multi-layered history:

THE MANHATTAN-VILLE HERITAGE SOCIETY.
Manhattanville Station P.O. Box 783
New York, NY 10027
Email: mvilleheritage@aol.com