The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City on March 25, 1911, was the largest industrial disaster in the city's history ... causing the death of 146 garment workers (mostly young women) who either died from the fire or jumped to their deaths. Many of the victims lived on the Lower East Side.
Today also marks the 13th anniversary of Street Pictures organizing volunteers to "inscribe in chalk the names and ages of the Triangle dead in front of their former homes."
The Triangle Waist Company was located on the northwest corner of Greene Street and Washington Place just east of Washington Square Park.
Find more information at The Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition.
[Photo from 2016 by Christine Champagne]
My thanks to Street Pictures and their volunteers for this yearly effort; no matter how many times I see them, these small chalked reminders are a jolting reminder of that long-ago tragedy, and I am glad it - and its victims - are not being forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate the chalking each year. No matter how many times I see it, it's still moving and really connects the lives lost in the tragedy to the neighborhood today.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if something similar could be done for the General Slocum victims.
@anon 11:54am
ReplyDeletere. chalking the pavements in front of residences of the General Slocum disaster victims.... an excellent idea - perhaps you could initiate this effort. lead the way -- others will surely join in.
I didn't see the chalk this year, and there's always a memorial for Yetta Fichtenhultz, who lived in my building. Guess my super was extra-diligent this year about erasing the chalk as soon as it got put down.
ReplyDelete