Discovery of Hidden Passageway at Merchants House Museum
Recent concerns have emerged regarding potential threats to New York City’s subway corridors due to planned commercial developments. Advocates highlight that a newly identified passageway at the Merchants House Museum in Manhattan’s NoHo district is thought to have been part of a network aiding enslaved Black Americans on their journey to freedom.
This passage, which measures about two feet square, is cleverly concealed beneath a built-in chest on the second floor, descending about 15 feet to the ground floor. The museum states that while the house itself dates back to 1832, the actual construction date of the passageway remains unconfirmed. Notably, it was built by Joseph Brewster, an abolitionist, and there is “no known domestic use” for this hidden corridor.
Historians only recognized Brewster’s abolitionist ties recently, despite the discovery of the passageway dating back to the 1930s. Museum officials shared that it took them two years of detailed analysis to examine the site, which is now under threat. The Merchants House Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Concerns are mainly linked to plans for developing a nine-story mixed-use building nearby, which, according to reports, could compromise the structure of the museum. Emily Hillwright, the museum’s director of operations, cautioned that it would be risky to build something of that scale so close to the historic site without likely inflicting significant damage.
Interestingly, the discovery of the passageway has led to an uptick in visitors. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission is set to decide on the development plans, but locals have voiced apprehensions about the potential impact.
Rev. Al Sharpton recently expressed his worries, emphasizing the risk of “irreparable damage.” He voiced support for the engineers’ warnings about the structural integrity of African American historical sites. A private developer, Calodop II Park Corp., is behind the proposal to replace a one-story garage nearby with a larger office building, which may include a restaurant or art gallery space, per various reports. Notably, the developer had submitted previous building applications, with their most recent one approved this year.
Jacob Morris, president of the Harlem Historical Society, noted the sacrifices made by individuals like Brewster, emphasizing the dangers involved in aiding those seeking freedom. “Bounty hunters were everywhere in New York City,” he remarked. Helping enslaved people often came with dire consequences, he explained, pointing out that anyone caught aiding an escape could face severe repercussions.
This underground passageway’s discovery aligns with other recent archaeological finds related to African American history, including significant ruins discovered last June in South Carolina and artifacts unearthed in Williamsburg, Virginia, from the oldest surviving schoolhouse for Black children.
