New York 1920s, 100 Years Ago Today - When We Became Modern

01/09/2026

... The first ever "Negro Arts Exhibit" of the 135th Street Library, 103 W. 135th St. (the precursor to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library ) was open for visitors, 2pm-9pm daily. Largely organized by head librarian Ernestine Rose, the planning committee included Nella Larsen , W.E.B. Du Bois, and Weldon Johnson. Schomburg himself loaned his private archive, putting it on display for the first time. The catalog for the exhibit, heretofore not available on line, is now on our website for scholarly use.
Then-and-now photos:
ny1920.com/1921aug-30


Jonathan Ezra Goldman
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library

One hundred years ago today … the 135th Street branch of the New York Public Library was holding its first Negro Arts Exhibit–the first iteration of what was to become an important yearly event. The most acclaimed artwork was the painting “Christ Washing the Feet of His Disciples,” by Henry ...

10/08/2026

in 1920, Mamie Smith recorded "Crazy Blues," at Okeh Studio on 45th St. It was the first blues vocal recording, and opened the doors for a generation of Black musicians to cut their own records.

https://www.ny1920.com/aug-10


SUNY Press Brooklyn Social Media
On This Date In History Jonathan Ezra Goldman Museum of the City of New York

One hundred years ago today … Mamie Smith sang “Crazy Blues” and “It's Right Here for You,” at Okeh Studios, 25 West 45th Street; the songs would appear that November as two sides of a 78 rpm record (the industry standard). The release is usually referred to as the first blues record. That...

04/08/2026

Early August update: http://www.jonathanegoldman.com/campaigns/view-campaign/MtB95HTZ-tNfeEgvgYE1NZgkRui5D4uD_BGK7fR8leNwvz68tTTS3GJc6hydgurQliGZ-lTaOvUfHpcicYIE58peFIhc3plQ

SUNY Press Jonathan Ezra Goldman Brooklyn Social Media

Hello friends and history enthusiasts! Read on for various updates about Hidden Histories of Jazz Age New York from the Suppressed to the Strange, from upcoming events tro a new review.

13/07/2026

Jonathan Ezra Goldman and Hugh Ryan at July 8, 2026, talking about marginalized communities and forgotten aspects of history. @.socialmedia .quigley298

04/07/2026

In 1920s NYC, the "Safe and Sane" movement had led to fireworks being made illegal.
SUNY Press New York Institute of Technology Social Media NYC Modernism Seminar

One hundred years ago today … It was illegal to sell or set off fireworks and firecrackers in New York City. In the buildup to the July 4th Independence Day holiday, many warned against them as a danger and a nuisance–but not everyone.

26/06/2026

The display at last night's launch with . Thanks for hosting Jonathan Ezra Goldman talking about
socialmedia

20/06/2026

... No one cared about Father's Day. As the "New York Herald" said, "fathers are not generally appreciated."

https://www.ny1920.com/1921jun-20

SUNY Press New York Institute of Technology Brooklyn Social Media

One hundred years ago today … New Yorkers paid no attention to Fathers Day, according to the scant mention in the newspapers, excepted by this remorseful note on the front page of the Herald.