Tag: Porches

  • Eartha Kitt

    Eartha Kitt

    Austin Hansen photographed Kitt leading a dance group at the Harlem YMCA in the early 1950’s. Eartha had been a professional dancer, dancing and touring with the Katherine Dunham Company between 1943 and 1948 before she became more widely known as a singer. Note the photo below, and the vents under the windows as the…

  • William Backhouse Astor Jr.

    William Backhouse Astor Jr.

    Harlem’s Astor Row Namesake Willam Backhouse Astor Jr. lived from 1829 – 1892 and in our community, is best remembered as the person who developed Astor Row, AKA West 130th Street between 5th Avenue and Lenox. The south side of this block was developed by Astor as speculative townhouses – built when there was little…