One of the most iconic images of Thanksgiving was created by illustrator Norman Rockwell in November of 1942 for the Saturday Evening Post. This painting titled
Freedom of Want is still rather widely recognized today but many do not know that the artist is actually from Harlem. Number 789 St. Nicholas Avenue was the childhood home of Mr. Rockwell located on Sugar Hill just north of 149th Street and still stands today. We walked by this section of Hamilton Heights and took a snapshot of the landmark block and the house at the far right of the above photo is the actual address. This row of stooped residences could use a good polish along with a restoration of the missing architectural elements and maybe one day a plaque will be made to commemorate the historic significance.
Wow! This is why I L-O-V-E Bespoke Harlem!!!
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I never realized that Norman Rockwell was a New Yorker, let alone that he grew up less than a mile from where I did. Thanks for this story and Happy Thanksgiving.
DeleteGreat information. I walk by that space daily and now have a great story to go with it. Thanks for posting this. So much history on St. Nic
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