INTRODUCING: ROAD SIGN AT GRANT'S TOMB

Harlem Bespoke: The Parks Department now have official road signs to let folks know along Riverside Drive what that big monument at 122nd Street is all about.  Many do not know that 18th President has a Tomb on the outskirts of Harlem by the border of Morningside Heights and some have driven right past it.  Grant's Tomb had been completed in 1897 and was at one point a bigger tourist attraction than the Statue of Liberty.  Now many more will know about the famous site by just passing by and maybe actually stop in to visit and learn more about the remarkable landmark: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2019

REMEMBER: THE LADY OF THE TITANIC AT 106TH

Just outside of the southern borders of Morningside, there is a small triangular park we always make a point to visit during the springtime.  This little intersection on Broadway and 106th Street or Duke Ellington Boulevard has a memorial statue that was made possible by the citizens of New York City 100 years ago in memory of Isidor and Ida Straus who were millionaire philanthropist that perished on the Titanic. On the night of the tragedy, Ida Straus was offered one of the few lifeboats seats available for women and children in first class but refused to take it.  Reports have it that Isidor's wife told him that she had been by his side for 50 years and would not leave him even at this moment.  The lady instead gave the seat to their new maid along with a fur coat for warmth and both watched on deck while the few survivors were rowed away to safety in the dark night.  The small lions head fountain flows during the springtime when the park is in bloom and the caretakers today have put up a lovely garland around the neck of the elegant tribute to a remarkable love story that will be remembered for centuries to come.

QUESTION: WILL THE WEST END BAR RETURN?

A photo was sent to us via Twitter that showed an empty Havanna Central at 114th and the sender wondered if the Cuban chain had shuttered its Morningside Heights location.  As some might recall, this spot was originally The West End Bar of which the Beat Generation poets like Kerouac and Ginsberg made famous since they were regulars there in their younger years.  That establishment went out of business about 8 years ago and the more commercial Havanna Central took over.

A Twitter response from Havanna Central was also received yesterday which mentioned that they were moving on to a location more befitting to what the restaurant was going for.  With that said, does anyone want to come in to restore this famous Beat bar to its 1940s glory?  In our opinion, poetry readings, live music and showcasing artists along with some old school bar aesthetics would really work with the new generation of students in the area by Columbia University.

More on the closing of the West End can be found in this Times article: LINK

☞ REMEMBER: Grant's Tomb Dedication c. 1897

A photo from 1897 shows the dedication ceremony for Grant's Tomb over by the cusp of Manhattanvile and Morningside Heights.  The Civil War general and former President had a small tomb on nearby at Riverside and 122nd Street but would be moved to this grand monument close when it was finally completed.  Grant's Tomb has been restored in recent decades but is probably one of the most important monuments of its time that a majority of modern New Yorkers have not visited.

Archival photo courtesy the digital collection at the Museum of the City of New York

☞ SHOP: Susan Sez Kosher Bakery

A kosher bakery called Susan Sez "Say It With Cake" opened up this summer on the cusp of West Harlem at 510 West 123rd Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue.  The shop has a small seating area for walk-in guests but also takes online orders. Check out the website for ordering details and additional contact information: LINK

☞ SEE:Daniel Beaty's Mr. Joy at Riverside Theatre

May 12th through June 2nd,3:00PM - 5:00PM, Daniel Beaty's Mr. Joy at Riverside Theatre, 91 Claremont Avenue and 122nd Street. Daniel Beaty, the multiple award winning writer and performer of Emergency and Through the Night is back! Your favorite characters from Emergency return with new stories to tell along with a host of new characters. For dates, times and ticket info, visit: www.TheRiversideTheatre.org

☞ BESPOKE: Free Wedding at Riverside Church

Saturday, March 10th, from Noon to 2:00 p.m. at The Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive (between 120th & 122nd Street).   The Riverside Church will make the life of one lucky metropolitan area bride-to-be that much easier, by providing the chance to win a free wedding ceremony at the historic Church during its Annual Wedding Open House.  At the event, attendees will get to tour the Church’s chapels and reception spaces, enjoy the traditional elegance of The Riverside Church’s beautiful architecture, sample wedding cake and partake in a champagne toast. The icing on the (wedding) cake will be a raffle drawing in which one lucky couple will win a free wedding ceremony. The event is free and anyone interested in attending should RSVP to 212-870-6762 or email agregory@theriversidechurchny.org.

☞ MEET: Panther Baby Event with Jamal Joseph

Friday, February 17th,  6:30 PM- 8:00 PM, Panther Baby Book Event with author Jamal Joseph at Columbia's Miller Theatre, 2960 Broadway at 116th Street. The evening will celebrate the release of the autobiography, Panther Baby, (Algonquin) with a conversation with the author, political activist Afeni Shakur, and Columbia faculty of political science and public affairs, Dorian Warren. IMPACT Repertory Theatre in Harlem will conclude the evening with a performance. The book is an intimate account of Joseph’s coming of age within the Black Panther movement. RSVP here: LINK

☞ SEE: The Harlem Fine Arts Show 2012

Friday-Sunday, February 10th-12th, The Harlem Fine Arts Show at Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive at 120th Street.  The Harlem Fine Arts Show has attracted over 10,000 visitors during its weekend run in the past so don't miss out on this major cultural event.  Works of over 100 artist will be represented at this show that has traditionally been established for the past decade at downtown's notable Puck Building and has appropriately set up recently in Harlem.  Check out the organization website for tickets and more details: LINK

☞ INTRODUCING: Free Turkey Dinner at SIP

Thursday, November 24th, 4:00 PM, Free Turkey Dinner at Sip, 998 Amsterdam Avenue, Between 109th & 110th Sts. For the past 5 Thanksgivings, Sip has been providing free dinners for those who cannot be with their loved ones during the holiday. Come through and eat and share good times with new friends. It's pot luck also, so bring a dish or a dessert to add to the feast! Feast begins after 4pm until the food's all gone: LINK

☞ REMEMBER: E.L. Pigott's Hotel circa 1889

A photo from 1889 shows E.L. Pigott's Hotel somewhere around Morninside Park and 116th Street.  The countryside inn was either located by the lower level of the park or up on Morningside Heights but it is hard to tell from the photo on the actual location of the wood frame structure.  This lot would eventually make way for either a taller prewar development or townhouses by the turn of the century.

E.L. Pigott's Hotel ca. 1889, via the digital collection at the Museum of the City of New York