Harlem Hospital Restores New Deal Artworks

NYC Health + Hospitals concludes a major conservation project for historic murals and sculpture at Harlem Hospital.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in African-American

Screen-print poster illustration of a historic social-realist mural on an arched hospital wall, evoking the preservation of New York City public art. — NYC Health + Hospitals has concluded a major restoration of New Deal-era murals and sculpture at Harlem Hospital in New York. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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NYC Health + Hospitals has officially finished conservation work on three New Deal-era murals and a John Rhoden sculpture located in the hospital’s indoor pavilion. The restoration preserves works originally commissioned under the Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project.

Why it matters

These artworks were saved from a 1936 attempt by hospital administrators to reject them due to concerns regarding the amount of Black subject matter. The preservation highlights the historical resilience of public art that was only kept following significant protests by local artists.

The conservation effort included the restoration of three major murals, including one eight-panel work. The project was managed by the hospital's Arts in Medicine department.

The players

Charles Alston

He was an influential artist who created the murals Magic in Medicine and Modern Medicine.

Geoffrey Hayes

He was the creator of the eight-panel mural titled Pursuit of Happiness.

John Rhoden

He was a renowned sculptor whose work was included in the recent hospital conservation project.

NYC Health + Hospitals

This is the public health system responsible for managing the hospital and the Arts in Medicine department.

The details

The restored collection includes the 1937 eight-panel mural Pursuit of Happiness by Geoffrey Hayes and two 1940 murals by Charles Alston titled Magic in Medicine and Modern Medicine. These pieces serve as a permanent fixture within the indoor mural pavilion at Harlem Hospital.

Administrators initially objected to the mural designs in 1936.
The Pursuit of Happiness mural was created in 1937.
Charles Alston created his murals in 1940.
Conservation work concluded on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

Culture Shift

This restoration project extends the legacy of the Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project by ensuring the long-term survival of its historic cultural contributions. It reflects a modern institutional shift toward preserving art that was historically marginalized by contemporary administrative standards.

Residents and visitors can now view these fully restored historical works in the indoor mural pavilion at Harlem Hospital. The project ensures these significant pieces remain accessible as part of the facility's permanent cultural programming.

The takeaway

The successful restoration highlights how public art can overcome initial institutional censorship to become a celebrated pillar of community identity. Visitors to the hospital are encouraged to visit the pavilion to engage with the historical narrative preserved in the restored murals and sculpture.