The region of Southern East Harlem beginning north of East 96th Street represents a multi-dimensional history of land development, class, immigration, self-determination, and community. Not unlike the history of many other
Manhattan neighborhoods, this region commonly referred to as El Barrio is unique in that it remains home to a predominantly working-class and multi-ethnic population while continuing to express its rich history regarding
critical lessons to be learned from the past. This survey helped further determine that it is the cultural history of El Barrio that is central to the community’s identity and its significance. Research was driven by pertinent
social themes rather than architectural expression. Community surveys and conversations characterized the neighborhood using words such as “community, culture, family, food, and home” pointing to core values of the region.
Through discussions with community members and leaders, the survey’s author, Marissa Marvelli remarked that there was “unanimous agreement that [El Barrio] is nationally significant as the cradle of the Puerto Rican diaspora.”
Underscoring this sentiment were the remarks of other individuals who stated that East Harlem was historically the “anchor place of the first and largest Latinx migrant/immigrant wave to the United States.” This fact demonstrates
the importance of this work not only to Manhattan but to the state of New York and the United States.