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Gus Hill's Minstrels; Changing New York

1890-1898 Park Avenue at 129th Street.

1935

1890 Park Avenue

Gus Hill's Minstrels; Changing New York

1890-1898 Park Avenue at 129th Street.

IMAGE DATE1935
FromMuseum of the City of New York logoMuseum of the City of New York

Gus Hill's Minstrels, 1935.

Gus Hill (born Gustave Metz) was vaudeville performer who was originally known for his juggling of large pins, called Indian clubs. Hill became a burlesque and vaudeville impresario. He founded the Columbia Amusement Company and was the president of the American Burlesque Association.

The building seen here was constructed circa 1869. The Minstrels likely performed in a space within the building, which as various times also hosted political meetings and a gymnasium. The unseen ground floor of this large structure included a garage, a Chinese laundry, a paint store, a drugstore, a produce stand, and a restaurant.

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