If you’ve ever wandered down a street at night, to catch glimpses of inviting interiors suffused in artificial light, if you’ve ever seen an imposing house that seemed as old as time, and wondered what its history was—who lived there, and what happened to them—you’re in luck!

Michael Henry Adams

On Sunday June 13, at 12 Noon and 2 PM, led by Harlem’s preeminent historian Michael Henry Adams, the author of Harlem Lost and Found, you can explore three extraordinary houses that are each ordinarily strictly private.

One, a Victorian brownstone was owned by Dr. J. Gardiner Smith 100 years ago, when he fought to try to keep Harlem white. One of Dr. Smith’s daughters was the first woman elected to serve in New York’s statehouse.  Currently The Smith house, owned by renowned filmmaker Albert Maysles of Gray Gardens fame, is a colorful treasure-trove of exotic orientalist decorations. It also boast an beguilingly lush garden.

Valerie Bradley’s house, built in the 1880’s, has a warm atmosphere redolent of down-home Harlem rent-parties during the ‘Renaissance’,  which is ideal since it’s a popular, but little known B&B.  Those who come to stay are invariably so pleased that they plead to their attentive proprietor—please don’t tell anyone else who might spoil things!

Designed by Cleverdon & Putzel, Audrey & Bernardo Rubie’s ornate Victorian house was completed in 1891. Embellished by the usual elaborately carved oak and mahogany, it also boast a handsome collection of family portrait-photographs. Better still, the Rubie’s interiors are enriched by powerful mystical paintings by their teenage son, Haile.  Overcoming the challenges of  Down’s Syndrome Haile’s inventive work has been acclaimed by critics far and wide, from France, to Japan and points in between. “Haile is a wonderful son who has become a wonderful artist: He has painted since he was only 4. We encourage Haile in every way that we can, and the results of his creativity are extraordinary!”, say his justly proud parents.

These astute individuals who acquired their special homes when Harlem was still a bargain, today enjoy magnificent surroundings that most of us can only dream of.  On Sunday June 13—if only for an hour and a half—we can live the dream too.

The Inside & Intimate Tour is an extra to the Annual House Tour this year and will require a separate ticket. These can be purchased for $20 in advance here, or, if space is still available, for $25 at the door. Due to the nature of the tour group size is limited.