search

Historic Walking Tour

SPNA’s historic walking tour on June 12 had a great turnout. It was organized by SPNA board member and events committee chair David Turk and led by SPNA board member and arts committee chair Todd Drake and artist and local historian Jesse Richards.

One of the tour’s highlights was learning about the fascinating story of H.T. Burleigh, the first African American baritone soloist at the church (and for whom 16th Street is co-named). According to the Library of Congress, Burleigh was the “first African American composer acclaimed for his concert songs as well as for his adaptations of African American spirituals.”

Attendees also found out that financier J.P. Morgan worked at St. George’s Episcopal Church, where he served as senior warden and (no surprise) treasurer. “Throughout his working life, he set aside three weeks every third year to meet with Episcopalian bishops and discuss theology,” according to Philanthropy Roundtable.

The tour included exploring fascinating architecture in our neighborhood, such as the unique Quaker fence with its anti-war statement, the notorious Sahara Hotel, New York’s first “block beautiful” on East 19th Street, and how different immigrant communities have shaped our neighborhood.

SPNA wishes to thank Ryan Victor Pierce again for his insights into the Native American experience. Ryan, a member of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape tribal nation in New Jersey, is the founder and artistic director of Eagle Project, a multidisciplinary theater company dedicated to exploring the American identity through the performing arts and our Native American heritage. If you have additional questions or thoughts to share with Ryan, please contact him here.