The Upper West Side during the Harlem Renaissance was a vibrant and culturally significant area in Manhattan. Although the Harlem Renaissance is primarily associated with Harlem, the Upper West Side also played a crucial role in this period of African American cultural flourishing.
One of the key institutions was the New York Public Library, particularly the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Located in Harlem but frequently visited by Upper West Side residents, it became a central hub for black intellectuals and artists.
Zora Neale Hurston, a prominent writer and anthropologist of the Harlem Renaissance, often frequented the Upper West Side. Her interactions with other intellectuals in the area provided a fertile ground for her literary works.
Langston Hughes, another key figure, lived on the border of Harlem and the Upper West Side. His poem “The Weary Blues,” which captures the essence of African American culture and music, was influenced by the vibrant atmosphere of the neighborhood.
The Cotton Club, though primarily located in Harlem, had many performers who resided in the Upper West Side. This included jazz legends like Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway, who brought the sounds of jazz from the Upper West Side to the wider world.
The Lincoln Center area, though formally established in the 1960s, had its origins in the cultural movements of earlier decades, including the Harlem Renaissance. The area around Lincoln Center housed many artists and musicians who contributed to the cultural fabric of the time.
The Riverside Church, another landmark of the Upper West Side, hosted numerous events and gatherings that supported the civil rights movement, which was deeply interconnected with the cultural dynamics of the Harlem Renaissance.
Columbia University, located on the Upper West Side, was another significant institution. It attracted many black scholars and students who contributed to the intellectual discourse of the Harlem Renaissance. Alain Locke, often called the "Dean" of the Harlem Renaissance, had connections with Columbia and its surrounding academic community.
The Apollo Theater, while in Harlem, drew numerous performers from the Upper West Side. This theater became a launching pad for many African American artists who lived in or frequented the Upper West Side.
In summary, the Upper West Side during the Harlem Renaissance was a dynamic and integral part of the cultural and intellectual movements of the time. Its institutions, residents, and proximity to Harlem made it a significant contributor to this historic period.