East Harlem has been the transient home to several immigrants groups in its colorful history.  The Dutch, Irish, Italian and Jews all have called East Harlem their home.  But since the mid 20th century, a new group of people has inhabited East Harlem, and transformed it into “El Barrio.”  These people are the Puerto Ricans, and their effect on East Harlem has stretched far beyond just changing its name.  They have had a decisive influence on anything and everything in their community—from the buildings to the streets, from the smells to the colors—the very sky seems to be hued “El Barrio blue.”

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