I didn’t know it at the time, November 10th, 2019, but the last Forgotten NY tour in Sugar Hill in a packed schedule that year turned out to be the last live tour to date, a streak of 154 tours that began June 1, 1999. What happened? First, the 2 to 3-year-pandemic, in which I stopped all tours out of caution (perhaps an overabundance of it); then, various maladies began to pop up such as a hernia that prevented me from walking more than a few blocks without pain that persisted longer, the longer I walked, ultimately fixed with surgery; then on and off sciatica and persistent back trouble (I may finally see an orthopedist), as well as insurance concerns, made me shelve the tours. Will live tours return? Never say never: but I’m older. I have been doing a series of Powerpoint tours associated with FNY’s now-concluded 25th anniversary (I just celebrated the 26th) I have been doing both in person and on zoom. I have two coming up, details of which will be revealed soon (check FNY, Facebook, X and bluesky), in late April and a lunchtime show sponsored ny the NYC Comptroller’s office in May, so stay tuned.
Pictured is Sylvan Terrace. “Sylvan” is an adjective that means “woodsy” or “like a forest” and there are three uptown alleys named “Sylvan”: Sylvan Court and Sylvan Place, which are on East 121st Street near Marcus Garvey (Mount Morris) Park, and Sylvan Terrace, shown here, which dead-ends on Jumel Terrace facing the Morris-Jumel Mansion, with a set of steps leading down to St. Nicholas Avenue. This was once the carriageway to the mansion, but since 1882 it has been home to about 40 nearly identical clapboard wood-frame houses, meticulously maintained by their owners. It was developed by James Ray and built by architect Gilbert Morrison. Earlier critics mistook them for servants’ quarters, but they were originally middle class residences, and present prices on the terrace are around $1M if you want to purchase one.
I consider it one of NYC’s best blocks. Check this google photo aggregation for more, including some interior views.
Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the gift shop. As always, “comment…as you see fit.” I earn a small payment when you click on any ad on the site.
4/1/25
2 comments
Ever consider a chiropractor?Of course,they’ll try to talk you into for
return treatments for the rest of their lives until they retire–dont fall
for it.
I asked my GP, ortho or chiro and he said ortho