Saturday, April 12, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Join the Historic Districts Council (HDC) and Garifuna Coalition USA for a poignant and insightful walking tour commemorating the Happy Land Social Club fire.
This 90-minute, half-mile tour delves into the historical and cultural significance of West Farms, highlighting the devastating 1990 Happy Land Social Club fire – the deadliest in New York City since the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911 – and its profound impact on the Garifuna community.
Led by Licensed Bilingual Spanish/English tour guide José Francisco Avila (The Garifuna Experience in NYC and HDC Board Adviser), the tour will provide historical context, share compelling stories, and illuminate the Garifuna community’s contributions and experiences in this neighborhood. Discover significant locations that have shaped the history of the Garifuna community in New York City.
Friend of HDC / Senior $15; General Admission $20
The tour will last approximately 90 minutes, and the route is approximately half a mile (880 yards), mostly flat, accessible, and includes pedestrian ramps. We cover about 6 city blocks of walking in 1.5 hours. There are some places to sit along the way, but not many.