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Harlem Hospital Center murals

Discover the historic WPA murals at Harlem Hospital Center, the first major U.S. government art commissions awarded to African American artists, now beautifully restored within a modern architectural pavilion.

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What are the Harlem Hospital Center murals known for?

Created starting in 1936, these murals were the first major U.S. government commissions granted to African American artists. They originated from President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s WPA program and were painted in the modern abstract style of that era.

Where are the murals located?

The murals are located in the Mural Wing (also known as the Mural Pavilion) of the Harlem Hospital Center at 506 Lenox Avenue at 135th Street in New York City.

Who are the artists featured in the collection?

The collection includes fully restored works by artists Vertis Hayes, Alfred Crimi, and Charles Alton, as well as Georgette Seabrooke’s mural titled 'Recreation in Harlem'.

What is the Mural Pavilion?

The Mural Pavilion is a 192,000-square-foot building that serves as a public art gallery for the historic WPA murals. It acts as a centerpiece that connects the Ron Brown Building and the Martin Luther King Jr. Pavilion.

When were the murals restored?

Serious restoration efforts began in the 1990s, and the restored murals were placed on view in the hospital's Mural Wing following a restoration in 2012.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Located at 506 Lenox Avenue at 135th Street, the Harlem Hospital Center murals represent a landmark moment in American art history. Originally commissioned in 1936 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration (WPA) Federal Art Project, these works were the first major U.S. government commissions granted to African American artists. The collection includes pieces by Vertis Hayes, Alfred Crimi, and Charles Alton, as well as Georgette Seabrooke’s culturally significant work titled 'Recreation in Harlem'. For decades, these murals were painted in the modern abstract style of the era but eventually fell into obscurity. Exposure to environmental adversities caused them to deteriorate, leading to serious restoration efforts that began in the 1990s. The goal was to return these historic pieces to their original state and ensure their preservation for future generations. In September 2012, the murals found a permanent home in the Mural Pavilion, a 192,000-square-foot facility that serves as a public art gallery. This pavilion acts as a centerpiece for the hospital, unifying previously disconnected facilities across two city blocks, including the Ron Brown Building and the Martin Luther King Jr. Pavilion. The modernization project even integrated the art into the architecture, featuring a glass curtain wall facade on Lenox Avenue that replicates three colorful panels from a restored mural. Beyond the historic WPA collection, the hospital continues to foster creativity through its Arts in Medicine department. This department manages the Community Mural Project, which recently added 'Healing Portraits', a work developed by artist Tijay Mohammed through a series of community focus groups.

Visitor tips

  • Look up at the Lenox Avenue glass facade to see mural replications before entering the building.
  • Allow time to walk between the Ron Brown Building and the Martin Luther King Jr. Pavilion via the Mural Pavilion.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes as the pavilion spans a significant area connecting multiple hospital facilities.

Nearby context

The murals are situated at the intersection of Lenox Avenue and 135th Street, serving as a civic-scale bridge between the Harlem community and the medical facilities of the Harlem Hospital Center.

Sources

Evidence and links