Touring Historic Harlem

Book excerpt: I encourage everyone to pick up this entertaining and informative book and to visit my beloved Harlem - a vibrant area rich in African-American culture and extraordinary turn of the century architecture. The name Harlem evokes recognition, nostalgia and curiosity around the world. Now, the Landmarks Conservancy's guide leads you through fabled streets that once echoed with the sound of legendary jazz and blues artists like Florence Mills and Eubie Blake and where gospel choirs make churches ring with joyful hymns today. The gracious brick and stone homes on Strivers Row, as well as the elaborately detailed brownstones around Mount Morris Park, will please and surprise you. Astor Row, with its distinctive wooden porches and front yards is a wonderful example of restoration in progress. This major renewal effort was launched during my mayoral administration and I was pleased to cut the ribbon at Number 24 when work began. Those who appreciate politics as I do will not want to miss the offices of the Urban League and the Abyssinian Baptist Church where Adam Clayton Powell's Senior's activist legacy continues to this day. Andrew Dolkart and Gretchen Sorin have concisely captured the cultural and architectural highlights of Harlem's four historic districts. My thanks to them and to the Landmarks Conservancy for promoting Harlem through this book and their daily program activities.