Preservation Battle at the Merchant's House Museum: A Hidden Underground Railroad Passageway

The Merchant's House Museum in Manhattan has gained renewed attention following the identification of a hidden passageway believed to have been part of the Underground Railroad. This passageway, located beneath a small wooden hatch on the second floor, measures two feet by two feet and descends approximately 15 feet with a built-in ladder. Although discovered in the 1930s, its significance was not fully understood until 2024, when researchers confirmed that the home's original owner, Joseph Brewster, was an abolitionist. This revelation has heightened public interest and increased visitor numbers, marking February as the museum's highest month for attendance in over a year.

New York's newly identified Underground Railroad passage is under threat

The museum now faces a significant threat from a proposed nine-story mixed-use development adjacent to its property. Emily Hill-Wright, the museum’s director of operations, expressed concerns that such a large structure could cause "significant structural damage" to the historic building. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission is currently deliberating on the development proposal, which has undergone multiple design iterations. Preservationists and civil rights activists, including Al Sharpton, have rallied to protect the site, emphasizing its importance as a link to African-American history.

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During the late 1820s and early 1830s, when Brewster built his home, New York City was a volatile environment for abolitionist efforts. Although slavery was officially abolished in New York State in 1827, pro-slavery sentiments persisted, and assisting enslaved individuals was illegal and fraught with danger. Jacob Morris, director of the Harlem Historical Society, noted that abolitionists faced violent backlash, including mob attacks and threats from bounty hunters. The Merchant's House Museum stands as one of the few remaining sites connected to the Underground Railroad in Manhattan, making its preservation critical.

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The Merchant's House Museum has actively opposed the development, presenting concerns at a public hearing held by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. While the commission has not yet taken action, a public meeting is anticipated where the developer will respond to the raised concerns. The museum's staff, lawyers, and supporters have urged officials to reconsider the proposal, highlighting the need to protect this vital piece of history.

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Critics of the proposed development argue that the construction poses an unacceptable risk to the museum's structural integrity and historical significance. Al Sharpton has framed the situation as a broader fight for the preservation of Black and American history, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding sites that represent the struggles of enslaved individuals seeking freedom.

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• “What our engineers are saying is that there really is no way that a building of that size is built immediately next door to the museum without causing significant structural damage to our historic building,” — Emily Hill-Wright, Director of Operations, Merchant's House Museum

New York's newly identified Underground Railroad passage is under threat

• “When engineers tell me that an African American heritage site is in danger of structural compromise or any other sort of irreversible damage, I listen,” — Al Sharpton, Civil Rights Activist

New York's newly identified Underground Railroad passage is under threat

• “It’s not a dumbwaiter. It’s not a laundry chute,” — Emily Hill-Wright, Director of Operations, Merchant's House Museum

New York's newly identified Underground Railroad passage is under threat

The Merchant's House Museum remains a critical site for understanding the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement, and its future hangs in the balance as the community rallies to protect its legacy.

New York's newly identified Underground Railroad passage is under threat