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80 Stunning Nostalgic Photos of Harlem in 2009

Harlem in 2009 was a year of innovation, activism, and cultural celebration, reflecting the neighborhood’s dynamic spirit and resilience.

The Harlem Success Academy Charter Schools expanded, opening new campuses to serve more students. These schools focused on providing high-quality education with an emphasis on academic excellence and character development. The expansion aimed to address educational disparities and offer more children the opportunity to succeed.

Cultural activities flourished with the 2009 Harlem Arts Alliance Annual Awards. This event recognized and celebrated local artists, musicians, and performers who contributed to the rich cultural landscape of Harlem. The awards ceremony included performances and exhibitions, showcasing the diverse talents of Harlem’s creative community.

The reopening of the Hamilton Grange National Memorial in St. Nicholas Park was another highlight. This historic site, the relocated home of Alexander Hamilton, underwent extensive restoration and was reintroduced to the public. The reopening offered residents and visitors a chance to explore the legacy of one of America’s Founding Fathers and provided an educational resource about early American history.

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The health of Harlem residents was a priority, reflected in the expansion of the Harlem United Community AIDS Center. This organization provided comprehensive healthcare, housing, and supportive services to people living with HIV/AIDS. In 2009, they expanded their outreach programs and opened new facilities, significantly impacting the health and well-being of the community.

Harlem’s culinary scene continued to evolve with the opening of new restaurants and cafes. One notable addition was the Harlem Tavern, a vibrant restaurant and beer garden on Frederick Douglass Boulevard. It quickly became a popular spot for both locals and visitors, offering a diverse menu and a lively atmosphere.

Harlem also saw advancements in transportation with the MTA’s launch of Select Bus Service (SBS) on 125th Street. This service aimed to improve transit efficiency and reduce travel times for commuters. The SBS implementation was part of broader efforts to enhance public transportation in Harlem and make it more accessible for all residents.

#1 View NW from Morningside Ave. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

View Nw From Morningside Ave. At W. 125Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#4 Corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

Corner Of E. 125Th St. At Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#5 NW corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

Nw Corner Of E. 125Th St. At Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#6 NE corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

Ne Corner Of E. 125Th St. At Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#7 NE corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

Ne Corner Of E. 125Th St. At Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#8 NW corner of Malcolm X Blvd. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

Nw Corner Of Malcolm X Blvd. At W. 125Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#9 NE corner of W. 125th St. at Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

Ne Corner Of W. 125Th St. At Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

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#11 View SE along E. 125th St. from 5th Ave., Harlem, 2009.

View Se Along E. 125Th St. From 5Th Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#17 Free food, First Grace Baptist Church, 2799 Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

Free Food, First Grace Baptist Church, 2799 Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

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#20 2355-2361 Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

2355-2361 Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

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#22 View NW along Malcolm X Blvd. from W. 141st St., Harlem, 2009.

View Nw Along Malcolm X Blvd. From W. 141St St., Harlem, 2009.

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#23 End of Sunday Mass, Church of Joseph and The Holy Family, NW Corner of W. 125th St. and Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2009.

End Of Sunday Mass, Church Of Joseph And The Holy Family, Nw Corner Of W. 125Th St. And Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#24 Mr. Long celebrating Obama’s election, 565 Malcolm X Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

Mr. Long Celebrating Obama'S Election, 565 Malcolm X Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

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#25 Man being interviewed on the occasion of President Obama’s inauguration, W. 125th St. at ACP Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

Man Being Interviewed On The Occasion Of President Obama'S Inauguration, W. 125Th St. At Acp Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

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#26 NE corner of W. 110th St. at Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2009.

Ne Corner Of W. 110Th St. At Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#28 NW corner of E. 124th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

Nw Corner Of E. 124Th St. At Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#29 NW corner of 5th Ave. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

Nw Corner Of 5Th Ave. At W. 125Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#31 View east along W. 125th St. from Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2009.

View East Along W. 125Th St. From Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#32 NW corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

Nw Corner Of E. 125Th St. At Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#33 New York Public Library, 104 W. 135th St., Harlem, 2009.

New York Public Library, 104 W. 135Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#35 View SE along Malcolm X Blvd. from W. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

View Se Along Malcolm X Blvd. From W. 125Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#36 View south along 2nd Ave. from W. 122nd St., Harlem, 2009.

View South Along 2Nd Ave. From W. 122Nd St., Harlem, 2009.

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#37 NW corner of Frederick Douglass Blvd. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

Nw Corner Of Frederick Douglass Blvd. At W. 125Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#38 Astor Row, view SE along W. 130th St. toward 5th Ave., Harlem, 2009.

Astor Row, View Se Along W. 130Th St. Toward 5Th Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#39 People gathering around a box from Meals on Wheels, view north along Lexington Ave. from E. 124th St., Harlem, 2009.

People Gathering Around A Box From Meals On Wheels, View North Along Lexington Ave. From E. 124Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#41 View NE along E. 125th St. from Park Ave., Harlem, 2009.

View Ne Along E. 125Th St. From Park Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#42 View NE from E. 123rd St. at 3rd Ave., Harlem, 2009.

View Ne From E. 123Rd St. At 3Rd Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#43 View NW from Broadway at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

View Nw From Broadway At W. 125Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#44 View west along E. 117th St. from 2nd Ave., Harlem, 2009.

View West Along E. 117Th St. From 2Nd Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#45 View west along E. 125th St. from Park Ave., Harlem, 2009.

View West Along E. 125Th St. From Park Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#46 View west along W. 125th St. from Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

View West Along W. 125Th St. From Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

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#47 View SW along Frederick Douglass from W. 149th St., Harlem, 2009.

View Sw Along Frederick Douglass From W. 149Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#48 View SW along Frederick Douglass Blvd. from roof of St. Nicholas Houses, W. 127th St., Harlem, 2009.

View Sw Along Frederick Douglass Blvd. From Roof Of St. Nicholas Houses, W. 127Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#49 View north along Lexington Ave. toward E. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

View North Along Lexington Ave. Toward E. 125Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#50 View north along Broadway from W. 125th St., subway stop, Harlem, 2009.

View North Along Broadway From W. 125Th St., Subway Stop, Harlem, 2009.

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#51 View north from E. 117th St. at 2nd Ave., Harlem, 2009.

View North From E. 117Th St. At 2Nd Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#52 View south along 3rd Ave. from E. 123rd St., Harlem, 2009.

View South Along 3Rd Ave. From E. 123Rd St., Harlem, 2009.

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#53 View SW along Frederick Douglass Blvd. from W. 151st St., Harlem, 2009.

View Sw Along Frederick Douglass Blvd. From W. 151St St., Harlem, 2009.

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#54 SW corner of Frederick Douglass at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

Sw Corner Of Frederick Douglass At W. 125Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#55 View NW along Frederick Douglass Blvd. from W. 135th St., Harlem, 2009.

View Nw Along Frederick Douglass Blvd. From W. 135Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#56 View north from W. 125th St. at Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2009.

View North From W. 125Th St. At Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#57 NW corner of St. Nicholas Ave. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

Nw Corner Of St. Nicholas Ave. At W. 125Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#58 SW corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

Sw Corner Of E. 125Th St. At Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#59 NE corner of E. 125th St. and Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

Ne Corner Of E. 125Th St. And Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#60 NE corner of Lexington Ave. at E. 124th St., Harlem, 2009.

Ne Corner Of Lexington Ave. At E. 124Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#61 Corner of Lexington Ave. at E. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

Corner Of Lexington Ave. At E. 125Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#62 SW corner of Madison Ave. at E. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

Sw Corner Of Madison Ave. At E. 125Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#65 641-649 Malcolm X Blvd. at W. 142nd St., Harlem, 2009.

641-649 Malcolm X Blvd. At W. 142Nd St., Harlem, 2009.

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#68 View SE from W. 125th St. at Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2009.

View Se From W. 125Th St. At Morningside Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#69 Malcolm X Blvd. between W. 137th St. and W. 138th St., Harlem, 2009. Thanksgiving turkey line, Salvation Army, 2009.

Malcolm X Blvd. Between W. 137Th St. And W. 138Th St., Harlem, 2009. Thanksgiving Turkey Line, Salvation Army, 2009.

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#70 W. side of Frederick Douglass between W. 151st St. and W. 152nd St., Harlem, 2009.

W. Side Of Frederick Douglass Between W. 151St St. And W. 152Nd St., Harlem, 2009.

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#71 Former Hotel Dash, 695 Malcolm X Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

Former Hotel Dash, 695 Malcolm X Blvd., Harlem, 2009.

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#72 SE corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

Se Corner Of E. 125Th St. At Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#73 SE corner of E. 125th St. at Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

Se Corner Of E. 125Th St. At Lexington Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#74 Frederick Douglass Blvd. between W. 127th St. and W. 128th St., Harlem, 2009.

Frederick Douglass Blvd. Between W. 127Th St. And W. 128Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#75 NW corner of Frederick Douglass Blvd. at W. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

Nw Corner Of Frederick Douglass Blvd. At W. 125Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#76 SE corner of E. 125th St. at Madison Ave., Harlem, 2009.

Se Corner Of E. 125Th St. At Madison Ave., Harlem, 2009.

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#77 View NW along Malcolm X Blvd. from W. 113th St., Harlem, 2009.

View Nw Along Malcolm X Blvd. From W. 113Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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#78 Former Corn Exchange Bank, NW corner of Park Ave. at E. 125th St., Harlem, 2009.

Former Corn Exchange Bank, Nw Corner Of Park Ave. At E. 125Th St., Harlem, 2009.

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Written by Wendy Robert

Brand journalist, Ghostwriter and Proud New Yorker. New York is not a city – it’s a world.

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