Text and Photographs by Stephen Harmon
Women in fur coats socializing with neighbors on the Broadway medians. Men and women, young and old, lost in thought or napping in the sun. Couples enjoying each other. Friends deep in conversation.
I loved photographing the many people I saw in the vanished days of the 1970s and 80s on the benches of the Upper West Side. Here is the second part of The Bench Sitters. I hope you find something to enjoy.
Stephen Harmon is a longtime Upper West Sider, a retired lawyer, and a world-class photographer whose work is on display in many of the city’s museums, including The Museum of the City of New York, The Brooklyn Museum, New York Historical, and The New York Public Library.
Check out our audio interview with Stephen Harmon on Rag Radio — HERE.
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For those people who say that NYC is over, it will never happen. These lovely photos prove that we are the best city.
The photos are from another erra 50 years ago.
My era.
New York has its ups and downs. Right now, we’re in the downs.
I love the lady with the brown bandana and thick eyeglasses! And so many of these evoke those days of in-between weather, when we bundle up and enjoy the sun. Great photos!! And, again, no cell phones!
That generation is gone. The next one is not socially minded like that. They hang at bars and coffee bars. I often sit in a beach chair in front of my building on W 86th with my brother in law and folks are very friendly and social to us. They often smile and say “good idea..”
Oh, that’s you! Next time I pass I’ll be able to say “Hi, Joel!”
Thank you. I love those photos, part of the vanishing New York I grew up in.
Thank you so much. More priceless pictures! Can imagine a book or collage of these at Museum of City of New York….and my livingroom!
Folks now sit with just a cup or coffee or tea outside our ubiquitous cafes. Some abuse the privilege by meeting friends and seemingly sit for hours oblivious that other customers might also appreciate a place to sit. Yesterday I saw a woman eating a soup from another establishment at my favorite cafe’s outdoor space.
Alas, our parents generation was more respectful of the rights of others.
Citizens arrest?
These photos are fantastic. You make Thiursdays with your wonderful photos my favorite day of the week!
I was a visiting GLCA art student in the Autumn of 1976. I knew I wanted to be in NYC. I wanted to be in a vibrant, culturally infused, always interesting and inspiring city. I was housed in an SRO on West 71st near B’way, and worked with artists in Soho & Chinatown. Your photos mirror the deeply etched memories I have of the grit & soul of the UWS. I’ll never forget the line of ladies sitting on the benches, nor the homeless in “needle park”, wrapped head to foot in newspaper for warmth. Twelve years later I returned to the city and live here… the UWS, my home.
I always enjoy your work. Thank you.
In many of these photos, people are wearing fairly heavy coats, which means the photos were taken in Fall, Winter or very early Spring. And many people no longer want to “brave” that weather, so benches are emptier. But when the late Spring and Summer weather comes, you will see those mall benches fill up again. I know, because I am one of those people.
It should also be noted that many of the mall benches have been “taken over” by the delivery bikers, who sit there (with the often large bikes taking up much of the other space) and wait to be called for a delivery job. So there are simply less seats for the elderly and others. I am not suggesting that the bikers do not have a right to sit there. Only that they are “replacing” some of the types of people you see in the photos – mostly older, and many couples.
Great photos from half century ago. I remember my mother and other tenants sitting outside our building. Never on the broadway medians. My mother would probably get mugged sitting in the median. Times change
I love New York. Without apology. Is it imperfect? Absolutely. Is that why I love it? Yep. Me is imperfect, too. We fits. I sits.
Wonderful photos. I love that one can date them by the ladies’ coats: the traditional “good wool coat” early on, the mostly fake furs a bit later, and finally the red down puffer coat.
Stephen, these are wonderful as always. Do you sell copies?
I do in a limited way. The WSR will give you my contact information.
Such a wonderful collection of New Yorkers. I’m curious about each one of them. and my imagination creates stories about their lives. Thank you for sharing these amazing photos of humankind.
I love the top photo because four ladies on the left look like they just had their hair done.
(I’m pretty sure that’s a bygone phrase, too… but if I had to explain it to someone, that picture would be the perfect example.)
Pic #5: Mel Brooks and Larry “Bud” Melman.
The more you’ve share confirms such a wonderful talent. Thank you.
The last photo- woman in beret. 🤔Aunt Lydia??
Pics are wonderful!
I understand what they were doing now. Then, I could only think, how could they stand all the traffic.