Hamilton Heights in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Dorothy Maynor

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 19, 2025

1. Dorothy Maynor Marker

Inscription.
In 1964, the highly regarded African American opera singer founded the Harlem School of the Arts, offering affordable lessons to community children.

Erected by While We Are Still Here.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the While We Are Still Here series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1964.

Location. 40° 49.312′ N, 73° 56.758′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Hamilton Heights. It is on Saint Nicholas Avenue north of West 141st Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located in front of the Harlem School of the Arts. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 645 Saint Nicholas Avenue, New York NY 10031, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hamilton Heights Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Hamilton Grange (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hamilton's Eden (about 400 feet away); From Hamilton's Home to a National Memorial (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Hamilton's Eden (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Hamilton Grange (about 400 feet away); Ethel Waters (about 700 feet away); Shepard Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Alexander Hamilton's House (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .
1. Dorothy Maynor (Wikipedia). Overview:

Dorothy Leigh Mainor (September 3, 1910 – February 19, 1996), known as Dorothy Maynor, was an American soprano, concert singer, and the founder of the Harlem School of the Arts. Considered one of the great singers
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 19, 2025

2. Dorothy Maynor Marker - wide view
of her generation, Maynor had a voice that was simultaneously sweet and supple and formidably powerful, with a mezza that was "magically ethereal." Maynor is noted as the first African–American to sing at a presidential inauguration, performing at President Harry S. Truman's inaugural gala in 1949.

(Submitted on July 20, 2025.)

2. Dorothy Maynor (While We Are Still Here). Excerpt:

Making beauty within the Harlem community was not only the dream of Dorothy Maynor, the founder/director of the Harlem School of the Arts, but , due to her vision and conviction, it also became a reality. A successful and internationally known concert soprano, Maynor changed her career as a solo artist into her lifework of training, advocating for, and teaching all genres of artistic expression to young Harlem residents...

(Submitted on July 20, 2025.)

3. The legendary Dorothy Maynor sings "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel (1951). (Youtube, 4:18) (Submitted on July 20, 2025.)

Dorothy Maynor image. Click for full size.

Carl van Vechten (via the Library of Congress), September 23, 1941

3. Dorothy Maynor

Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 102 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 20, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.