Bowery in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
"I'm Not A Nice Girl"
103 Bowery
Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 22, 2016
1. "I'm Not A Nice Girl" Marker
You are standing at the former site of the Blossom Restaurant and barber shop shown in Berenice Abbott’s iconic Depression era photograph, one of several Bowery images in her influential Changing New York series.
An Ohio born expatriate in 1920s Paris, she became darkroom assistant to Man Ray and built a reputation as a portrait photographer of artists like James Joyce and Jean Cocteau. inspired by Eugene Atget who captured images of old Paris before it disappeared, she returned to New York in 1929 and began a decade long quest to photograph a similarly changing New York, contrasting with older neighborhoods that were soon to vanish.
Seeing her gritty images of the Bowery, an official of the Federal Arts Project warned Abbott that “nice girls” don’t go to such places. To which she replied, “I’m not a nice girl. I’m a photographer.”
- Joan Jubela, Writer/Educator
Erected 2016 by Bowery Alliance of Neighbors.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.
Location. 40° 43.055′ N, 73° 59.706′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in the Bowery. Marker is on Bowery near Hester Street, on the
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. “A Carnival Of Debauchery!” (here, next to this marker); Freaks! Assassins! Giant Squids! (a few steps from this marker); NYC Landmark Of Cast Iron (a few steps from this marker); Ghosts And Occasional Mayhem (within shouting distance of this marker); Man Survives Leap From Brooklyn Bridge! (within shouting distance of this marker); Bowery Savings Bank (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); From Beaux Arts Bank To Bananas (about 400 feet away); Former Bowery Savings Bank (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
More about this marker. One of more than sixty entries in the “Windows on the Bowery” series.
Also see . . .
1. Bernice Abbott. Wikipedia biography (Submitted on March 7, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. The Bowery Historic District - National Park Service. National Register of Historic Places documentation (Submitted on April 7, 2024, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 22, 2016
2. 103 Bowery
This is an 1880s Renaissance Revival style building.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 22, 2016
3. Inset
Berenice Abbott, “Blossom Restaurant, 103 Bowery,” 1935. From Changing New York, Works Progress Administration/Federal Art Project
Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 22, 2016
4. Inset
Berenice Abbot, portrait by Man ray, circa-mid 1920
Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 22, 2016
5. Inset
“Bowery Bum,” 1932. From Changing New York, Works Progress Administration/Federal Art Project
Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 337 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 18, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide view photo showing its location in context, and a clear description of the marker location (to help others find it). • Can you help?
