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Audubon Terrace Historic District: A Beaux-Arts Cultural Hub

Explore Beaux-Arts architecture & cultural history at Audubon Terrace, a landmark district in Washington Heights, NYC.

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Audubon Terrace Historic District in Washington Heights is a landmark complex of early 20th-century Beaux-Arts buildings. Named for John James Audubon, it houses cultural institutions around a common plaza, offering a glimpse into NYC's artistic history.

A brief summary to Audubon Terrace Historic District

  • 3718 Broadway, New York, Manhattan, New York, 10032, US

Local tips

  • Visit the Hispanic Society Museum & Library to explore art and artifacts from the Iberian Peninsula and Spanish America.
  • Check the American Academy of Arts and Letters' schedule for public gallery hours and exhibitions.
  • Take a walk through the adjacent Trinity Church Cemetery to see the grave of John James Audubon.
  • Explore the architecture and sculptures in the central courtyard, including works by Anna Hyatt Huntington.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    The 157th Street station on the 1 subway line is located a block away from Audubon Terrace. Take the 1 train to the 157th Street station. From there, walk one block south to 156th Street and then east towards Broadway. The complex will be on your left. Subway fare is $2.90 per ride.

  • Walking

    From the Trinity Church Cemetery at 155th Street and Broadway, walk north on Broadway for approximately two blocks. Audubon Terrace will be on your left. Allow 5-10 minutes for a leisurely walk.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Ask your driver to take you to Audubon Terrace at 3718 Broadway, between 155th and 156th Streets. From Midtown Manhattan, a taxi or ride-share will cost approximately $20-$30, depending on traffic.

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Discover more about Audubon Terrace Historic District

Nestled in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Upper Manhattan, the Audubon Terrace Historic District stands as a testament to early 20th-century Beaux-Arts architecture and urban planning. This architecturally unified complex, bounded by Broadway, 155th Street, and 156th Street, was envisioned as a cultural center, bringing together a cluster of learned societies and museums. Commissioned in 1907 by Archer Milton Huntington, heir to the Southern Pacific Railroad fortune and a Spanish scholar, Audubon Terrace occupies land that was once part of naturalist John James Audubon's estate. Huntington sought to create an intellectual and cultural hub, a vision brought to life by his cousin, architect Charles P. Huntington, who designed the master plan in 1908. The buildings, primarily constructed between 1908 and 1930, showcase a unified neo-Italian Renaissance style. Originally, the complex included the Hispanic Society of America, the American Numismatic Society, the American Geographical Society, the Museum of the American Indian, and the Church of Our Lady of Esperanza. Over time, some institutions relocated, with Boricua College now occupying the former American Geographical Society building. Today, the Hispanic Society of America and the American Academy of Arts and Letters remain anchor institutions. The terrace also features sculptures by Anna Hyatt Huntington, Archer's wife, including the monumental bronze equestrian statue of El Cid Campeador. Designated a New York City landmark in 1979 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, Audubon Terrace offers visitors a unique glimpse into a planned cultural center. Its serene ambiance and stunning architecture provide a backdrop for exploring the diverse cultural tapestry of Manhattan.

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