African American Museums and Historical Landmarks in the New York Area

Invisible Man: A Memorial to Ralph Ellison
Riverside Dr. at 150th St., Harlem
What you Need to Know: Social distancing and mask wearing required in Riverside Park. Ralph Ellison was a 20th century African-American writer best known for his bestselling novel, Invisible Man. Written in 1952, the novel captures the story of an African-American civil rights worker from the south who moves to New York. The memorial was erected at Riverside Park after Ellison’s death in Harlem where he was a longtime resident. See the memorial and give honor to a remarkable man with the family.

African Burial Ground National Monument
290 Broadway, at the corner of Duane Street
What you Need to Know: The outdoor monument is open at this time, but the indoor visitor center remains closed. Masks and social distancing required.
The monument’s main building, the Ted Weiss Federal Building, contains the remains of more than 400 Africans buried in the 17th and 18th centuries, just a portion of the largest colonial-era cemetery for people of African descent, both free and enslaved. The sacred site honors the contribution and forgotten history of African slaves in the development of colonial and federal New York.

 

 

 

 

 

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Jackie Robinson Monument
85 Bradhurst Ave., at the corner of West 147th Street
What you Need to Know: Jackie Robinson Recreation Center is closed, but the park is open. Masks and social distancing required.
The park provides ten blocks of resources for the Harlem community, including the Recreation Center which has fitness facilities and programming. The bronze Jackie Robinson bust is located inside the pool and recreation center entryway, and commemorates the baseball legend’s contribution to American history, pioneering into professional sports as the first black player in the major leagues.

Swing Low: A Memorial to Harriet Tubman
West 122nd Street between St. Nicholas Avenue and Frederick Douglass Boulevard
What you Need to Know: Wear a mask and social distance when visiting the sculpture. An oversized full-figure portrait sculpture in bronze and granite commemorating the abolitionist and humanitarian, who as a freed slave, devoted her life to rescue others fighting for freedom.

Frederick Douglass Circle
110 Street and Eighth Avenue, northwest corner of Central Park
What you Need to Know: Wear a mask and social distance when visiting the sculpture.
A bronze, wrought iron monument with a water feature, honors the abolitionist, writer, and teacher. The statue is inscribed with historical details and quotations from Douglass’ work and slaves’ passage to freedom.

African American Museums and Landmarks in Brooklyn

African American Museums and Landmarks in Queens

Louis Armstrong House Museum - Temporarily closed
34-56 107th St., Corona
Visit the house the jazz legend shared for 28 years with his wife Lucille from 1943 until his death. The uniquely decorated rooms are preserved as Lucille designed them, you can walk Louis’ study, his library, and listen to some of his music and recorded interviews.

Soul in Flight
Arthur Ashe Stadium, 124-02 Roosevelt Ave. Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
What you Need to Know: Wear and mask and social distance when visiting the memorial. 
See the breathtaking memorial to the late tennis player Arthur Ashe, which was sculpted by Eric Fishl. The bronze and granite piece captures the essence of Ashe’s talent and strength both on the tennis court and through his human rights initiatives. The memorial was dedicated in 2000.

African American Museums and Landmarks on Long Island

African American Museums and Landmarks in Westchester County

African American Museums and Landmarks in Fairfield County, CT