Groups Wants Manhattanville Recognized

On the corner of 126th Street and Amsterdam Ave., across from
the district police station, is St. Maryís Episcopal Church. The
church is a small and ordinary, but it stands out among among the
high-rises north of 126th Street.

The churchís historical importance to the community has already
earned it a place on the national registry of historical monuments.
Now residents hope the entire neighborhood can gain a similar
status.

Last night residents of Morningside Heights and Manhattanville
gathered in the church to hear Eric Washington, a local historian
and Manhattanville resident, speak about the history of the area,
from its founding in 1806 to its disappearance from maps and
eventual integration into the rest of Harlem around the
1920s.

One group concerned with the areaís importance, the
Manhattanville Historical Society, hopes to make the area a
ìhistoric district,î which would limit the size and styles of new
developments in the area under the cityís Landmarks Law. The
special designation, already acquired by about 60 districts in New
York, is given by the cityís Landmarks Preservation
Commission.

Washingtonís speech was based on his book, which Arcadia
Press will publish in the spring as part of its Popular Images of
America series. The society hopes to use the book in its fight to
designate Manhattanville as a historic district.

The exact boundaries of Manhattanville have changed often
throughout history because the town itself was never incorporated
like its neighbor Harlem.

Today the term Manhattanville refers to the area beginning around
123rd Street and extending until 140th Street, as far east as
Morningside Drive.

The Manhattanville Historical Society has noted difficulties that
Morningside Heights residents have had with the ever-present
threat of Columbiaís expansion.

Recently, Morningside Heights residents have resisted the
creation of buildings such as Lerner Hall and the proposed School
of Social Work on 113th Street.

ìThe base issue here is the historic preservation of this beautiful
community. It is being challenged by this disruptive, modern,
institutional building,î said Carolyn Kent, chair of the Landmarks
Committee, at a meeting to oppose the School of Social Work
building last year.

ìWe must respect and care for this historic district. It must be kept
historic,î she said.