HISTORY MUSINGS

This fabulous photo of any early hair dryer is from the Museum of the City of NY. In 1904, Columbia University opened a gym exclusively for women in between Barnard and Teacher’s College. Apparently, the men had been complaining about having to share their gymnasium and deal with “hairpins, combs…and the dyestuffs” from women’s bathing suits. The new building had a bowling alley, “corrective exercise rooms”, rowing machines and a room (pictured) to dry hair. Steam and hot air pipes would raise the temperature up to 150 degrees in the ‘hair drying room’. To learn more fun facts about NYC, you can visit the Museum of the City of NY located at 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd St. It has a ramp entrance on the side and elevators between floors. From Morningside, it is an easy ride on the M4 bus. If you have memories of a particular spot in the neighborhood or an old photo that you would like to share, please call Paula at 646-734-0182. If you are interested in more information about the history of our neighborhood, the website upperwestsidehistory.org is a great starting point. If you enjoy a nice walk, Jim Mackin is offering free guided historic tours of the Bloomingdale section on Sunday, November 19th at 2:00 PM. Reservations are not necessary; meeting spot is the south end of Straus