Excellent link about Dunbar Apartments history:
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/civilrights/ny2.htm |
TEXT OF PLAQUE:
Matthew A. Henson, Arctic explorer, lived here at the Dunbar apartments
with his wife Lucy from 19[?] until his death in 1955. Before the
age of 21, he sailed the worlds as a seaman aboard the merchant
ship, Katie Hines. Between 1891 and 1909, Mr. Henson and Rear
Admiral Robert E. Peary made seven attempts to reach the North
Pole. They finally achieved this goal April 6th, 1909, Matthew
Henson arriving first. Mr. Peary and their four Inuit guides,
Egingwah, Ootah, Ooqueah and Seeglo, became the first humans to
actually stand at the top of the world - there Henson planted the
American Flag.>
During the years in the Arctic with Peary, Henson became indispensable to the
expeditions. An expert handler of the dog and sledge teams and the
only expedition member fluent in the Isooktituk [sp?], the native
language of the Inuit people. Henson was an essential member of
all of Peary's arctic voyages.
Despite the years of relative obscurity this remarkable man suffered, and the
continued questioning both of his role in the expedition and the
success of his and Peary's ultimate achievement, Matthew Henson's
courage, strength of character, integrity and perseverance speak
for themselves.
Matthew Henson died in New York City on March 9th 1955, and was buried in
Woodlawn cemetery, The Bronx, New York. However, on April 6th
1988, befitting his status as a national hero, his body was
interred, together with his wife Lucy at Arlington National
Cemetery, to rest beside Peary's.
MATTHEW A. HENSON: A HERO FOR OUR TIME |
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Matthew Henson Plaque, designed by Actor, Delroy Lindo.
Paul Lawrence Dunbar Apartments, Harlem, New York 1989 |
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