Awnings in Morningside Heights
Historic photographs show that many apartment building
in Morningside Heights had window awnings. Awnings
were used to shade the building interiors from the sun in
the days before air conditioning. (521 West 111th Street).
"Canvas awnings enjoyed widespread use throughout
Morningside Heights in the days before air conditioning.
They were found on many residential buildings
on the east, west, and south facades to shade the
apartments from the sun. The armature was almost
always retractable. The material was canvas, available
in many colors, and frequently striped. Only a
few buildings have any surviving awnings. Others
have traces of awning hardware still visible."
