Discover The Schomburg Center: A Harlem Treasure of Black History & Culture

Harlem is home to one of the most highly regarded cultural institutions in the world —The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. This national research center collects and preserves materials documenting Black life, providing the public access to archives centered around the history and culture of peoples of African descent globally. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the library’s existence and to honor this milestone, we will explore its history, its research units, and share why it is a must-visit destination in New York City. Let’s dive in! 

The Origins of the Schomburg Center

During the early 20th century, Harlem experienced substantial demographic transformation. Black migrants from the South looking to resettle in the North, were arriving in Harlem in droves and making it their new home. Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, a Puerto-Rican born Black scholar settled in Harlem in the early 1890’s and spent the next few decades bearing witness to this transformative period. Arturo was an avid collector of manuscripts and artifacts that showcased Black life and brilliance. He forged strong relationships with fellow intellects who shared his passion of books, history, learning. He believed Black people would be empowered to build their futures on their own terms if they understood their contributions to history.

In 1924, the 135th Street branch of The New York Public Library (NYPL), established a special reference collection for Black books on the library’s third floor. To aid in this effort, the library's staff requested community support and Arturo supported this endeavor by loaning items from his personal collection to the library and organizing events at the library for Black people to gather and discuss literature and history. A couple years later, with a $10,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, The New York Public Library acquired Arturo Schomburg's extensive collection of books, art, manuscripts, and historical documents. The New York Public Library then hired Arturo Schomburg as the curator of the Division of Negro Literature, History, and Prints at the 135th Street Branch. Following his passing in 1938, the research division was renamed in his honor later becoming the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in 1972.

Inside The Schomburg Center

The Schomburg Center is now a globally recognized institution comprised of five research divisions with over 11 million items. Below is a breakdown of each division and what it encompasses.

The Jean Blackwell Hutson Research and Reference Division provides access to books, serials, and microforms concentrating on the humanities, social sciences, and the arts from an African diasporic lens. 

The Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books Division collects and preserves, rare, unique, and primary source materials that document the history and culture of people of African descent globally. Highlights from the division include the papers of luminaries such as James Baldwin, Malcolm X, Lorraine Hansberry, and Maya Angelou.

The Art and Artifacts Division collects, documents, preserves, and interprets art and artifacts by and about peoples of African heritage worldwide.

The Photographs and Prints Division contains fine art photographs, which document the history and culture of people of African descent globally as well as the work of photographers of African descent.

The Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division offers audiovisual documentation of Black culture including music, oral history recordings, motion pictures, and videotapes.

In addition to its research services, the Schomburg Center organizes programs and exhibitions for the public throughout the year, often free of charge, making the Schomburg Center an accessible resource for everyone of all ages.

As you explore the Schomburg, you’ll find yourself deeply immersed in history. The building is home to a public art installation entitled Rivers in the Langston Hughes lobby. At the heart of the lobby is a brass cosmogram that features verses from Hughes’ first published poem, The Negro Speaks of Rivers. The striking piece represents a symbolic tribute to the enduring legacies of Hughes and Schomburg. The cosmogram’s design traces lines to their birthplaces — Missouri for Hughes and Puerto Rico for Schomburg  — before intersecting at a crossroads in Harlem, honoring their invaluable contributions to the Harlem Renaissance. Furthermore, beneath the floor, Hughes's ashes are interred in a stainless steel, book-shaped urn, allowing his resting place to be a public and accessible place for visitors to pay their respects.

Visiting The Schomburg Center

The Schomburg Center's celebration of its 100th anniversary is in full effect and to kickoff this special year, the Center has a number of events scheduled, offering a deeper dive into the contributions of Black people historically and present-day.

Check out their full Winter/Spring 2025 schedule here.

Currently on display at the Schomburg is an extraordinary exhibition — Letters from Home: The Black ABCs Reimagined, created by the Schomburg Junior Scholars Program. The Junior Scholars Program serves one hundred youth from the New York City area, ages 11 to 18, in a free after-school Black studies program that promotes historical literacy through lectures, group discussions, and project-based learning.

The exhibition showcases vibrant acrylic paintings, evocative photography, and innovative AI art that incorporates the youth reimagining iconic educational artifacts from 1970. This is a great exhibit to visit with family to experience the creativity and ingenuity of NYC youth!

If you know a student who would be a great fit for this wonderful program, application information can be found here.

Guided tours of the Schomburg Center take place Monday–Friday from 11 AM through 2 PM. To reserve a day and time, visit their Schomburg Tour page

The Schomburg’s address and directions are listed below!

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture 

The New York Public Library 

515 Malcolm X Boulevard at 135th Street 

New York, NY 10037. 

DIRECTIONS BY TRAIN: 

#2 or #3 to 135th Street; C or E to 135th St. and St. Nicholas 

(walk east to Lenox Ave.) 

BY BUS: M7 or M102 to 135th Street and Lenox Avenue

Can’t visit in person? Explore the Digital Schomburg, which provides online access to curated resources and scholarship on the global Black experience.

You can also stay up to date on programs, exhibitions, and special Centennial offerings by subscribing to their free bi-monthly E-newsletter, the Schomburg Connection.

Whether you’re a lifelong Harlem resident or a visitor to New York City, the Schomburg Center is a must-visit desination that honors, preserves, and celebrates Black history and culture. 

Written by Shajuana Henry, volunteer for Art in the Park