The Paul Robeson Residence (also known as the Roger Morris building and by its street address of 555 Edgecombe Avenue) is a National Historic Landmarked building, located at 555 Edgecombe Avenue, Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. It was the home of Paul Robeson.
For the first 25 years of its existence, this building was restricted to only white tenants. Around 1940, as the racial characteristics of the neighborhood changed, this rule changed and this building became well known for its famous African-American residents, including the musician Count Basie, boxer Joe Louis, and the actor Paul Robeson. Robeson lived here from 1939 to 1941.
After his death in 1976, the building was landmarked in his honor.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976.
Famous quotes containing the word avenue:
“Only in America ... do these peasants, our mothers, get their hair dyed platinum at the age of sixty, and walk up and down Collins Avenue in Florida in pedalpushers and mink stoles—and with opinions on every subject under the sun. It isn’t their fault they were given a gift like speech—look, if cows could talk, they would say things just as idiotic.”
—Philip Roth (b. 1933)