Exploring Black History

in Sugar Hill and Around Morris-Jumel Mansion

As the oldest surviving house in Manhattan, Morris-Jumel Mansion has borne witness to much of New York City’s rich and diverse history. Situated on the border of Sugar Hill and Washington Heights, the museum and neighborhood has been shaped by Black history.

When
60–75 minutes
Where
2.5 miles
Public Transportation

Tour Start—Nearest bus stops: M2, M3, M100 at W 166 St/St. Nicholas Ave; M5 at Broadway/W 167 St; M4 at Ft Washington Ave/W 165 St // Nearest train station: 1 A C at 168 St*
Tour End—Nearest bus stops: M2 at Edgecombe Ave/W 160 St; M3, M100, M101 at Amsterdam Ave/W 158 St // Nearest train station: C at 163 St
Note: The 168 St Station 1 and 155th Street C are not ADA-accessible

Begin
7

Duke Ellington Residence

935 St. Nicholas Avenue

The great jazz pianist and composer Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (1914–1974) lived in Apartment 4A of this building from 1939 to 1961. During his residence here, Ellington produced some of his most famous and creative work, much of it inspired by Harlem. In Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald’s “Take the A Train,” Fitzgerald references the neighborhood, singing, “All aboard, get on the ‘A’ Train/Soon you will be in Sugar Hill in Harlem.” Ellington referred to the Morris-Jumel Man- sion as the “jewel in the crown of Sugar Hill.”