NEW YORK BLACK FLORIST HISTORY
Wesley Williams 1895
James Henry William
James Henry Williams's father was tired of him and his two brothers horsing around after school. He wanted his boys to start working. So he found a listing on the paper and took him and both his brothers to Charles Thorley Florist shop. There James got his first job as a (florist Messager) when he was nine years old (1887).
He worked for Thorley until 1923, when he was 45. He also worked as a designer for Thorney and his 2 other brothers. He was a designer as well. The Staff of designers were all black at Thorley Shop which led to the success of the firm. They provided such beautiful designs and professionalism that hooked the New York “400” influential and wealthy families of the Gilded Age Society to shop only at Thorleys Shops.
At Thorley shop, James first met his wife as a teen. Much later they got married, and they moved from 318 West 41st Street Hell’s Kitchen to the Tenderloin, 228 West 28th Street in the floral district. Many Afro-Americans were in kinds of service jobs in the area. Many own their Bars, Clubs, and a few cigar shops.
To be clear, the Floral District was “uptown” in New York at the time and called the Tenderloin. It was called the Tenderloin because it was the area where the poor were harassed by police officers for money. There the police would get enough money to buy steak for their families.
Greenwich Village was “Little Africa” from 1860-1890s.
James Brother Wesley worked for Thorley as well, he’s on the right of John in the photo below.
Langston Hughes
The most notable African American to work for Thorley was Langston Hughes—an acclaimed American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist.
Hughes worked as a florist delivery person and assisted in the shop for two years, until Charles Thorley’s passing in 1923.
Herbert D. Cummings
Cummings worked for Charles Thorley as a designer and clerk, quickly becoming one of Thorley’s most valued employees. He was entrusted with the personal care and attention of Thorley’s most prestigious clients. In 1902, when Prince Henry of Prussia became the first European royal to visit the United States, Thorley secured the highly coveted contract to handle the floral arrangements for the grand gala at the Waldorf-Astoria in his honor. Despite some opposition from those who sought to dissuade the Prince’s staff from choosing Thorley, the Prince’s team remained unwavering in their decision. To them, the diversity of Thorley’s staff was of no consequence; they prioritized excellence above all.
Thorley was not only responsible for the event's lavish floral decor but also assigned Cummings the critical task of designing fresh flowers that were maintained in the Prince’s hotel suite throughout his stay. This pivotal role marked the beginning of an extraordinary friendship between Cummings and Prince Henry. The Prince was so impressed with Cummings’ dedication and skill that he appointed him as his florist for the duration of his tour across the United States, which included stops in New York, West Point, Milwaukee, Annapolis, Maryland, Nashville, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., where he was introduced to President Theodore Roosevelt.
Prince Henry personally purchased $6,000 worth of flowers—equivalent to approximately $225,432 today—to be shipped to Germany. The order consisted of 15,000 flowering blooms of American Beauty and Winter roses, lilies of the valley, and orchids, carefully packed in moss and ice boxes. As a token of appreciation, Thorley provided Cummings with $600 (valued at $22,543 today) to cover his expenses while accompanying the Prince.
In recognition of his exceptional service, Cummings received a luxurious gold watch encrusted with diamonds, a remarkable gift from the Prince.
During his time in New York City, Prince Henry developed a deep appreciation for Southern Black music. He greatly enjoyed performances by the Hampton Singers at the Waldorf-Astoria and Carnegie Hall, where he had the opportunity to engage in conversation with Booker T. Washington. The Prince was delighted when Booker T. promised to send him a copy of his book containing traditional Negro spirituals.
The Prince’s cultural exploration continued with a visit to an old saloon on 53rd Street and the Marshall Hotel, a Black-owned establishment, where he was captivated by the vibrant cabaret scene. He reveled in the performances of talented Black entertainers, dancers, singers, and musicians who played rags and popular show tunes of the era.
Upon his arrival in Nashville, the Prince was greeted by the renowned Jubilee Singers, adding another memorable moment to his historic tour.
Mr. Cummings & Williams worked on this event at the Waldorf-Astoria. 1902
White House visiting the President 1902, Mr. Cumming had his hand in this.
Prince Henry and the SS Deutschland 1902 First Class Dining Room. This is another area were Mr. Cummings needed to decorate as well during his 5 day trip to Germany from New York.
William Baker
In 1877 he was a floral designer who worked for a florist and in the wholesale market. However, little information is available about him, except that he lived in Hell’s Kitchen at 340 West 49th Street.
Fredrick C. W. Brown
Fred C. W. Brown served as the Vice President of the Society of American Florists & Ornamental Horticulturists. Throughout his career, he traveled extensively, delivering lectures on floral design and showcasing his remarkable arrangements. Born in 1875, the last known mention of his work dates back to the 1940s. Below is an arrangement attributed to him that I discovered.
Joel Cooley
Mr. Cooley lived and worked on his family’s oyster beds off Staten Island until 1912. His family, among the first freed oystermen from Gloucester, Virginia, migrated to Tottenville, Staten Island, in 1870. This was the thinking back then, “If you were a farm laborer, you would have made $10 a week. So, if you were a meat packer, you might have made $25 a week. But if you were a waterman, you could make $100 a day,” Holmes-Turner says, describing why so many Rushmere men turned to the water. So Cooley’s family prospered for 40 years. However, in 1912, due to pollution in the surrounding waters, New York City authorities condemned oyster harvesting. At 48 years old, Mr. Cooley retired, using his savings to pursue a new passion—growing dahlias.
A key to his success was incorporating crushed oyster shells into the soil, which enriched it and contributed to the remarkable growth of his flowers. His thriving garden quickly gained local fame, becoming a point of admiration throughout the area. Mr. Cooley soon joined the Staten Island Horticultural Society, making history as the first person of color to become a member. His exceptional blooms earned him numerous awards, and he went on to exhibit and win GOLD & Silver medals at the prestigious Madison Square Garden flower shows.
1912 Gold medal for The Best Dahlias in a Basket, Silver for Best Display, and Bronze for Best Varieties in the Staten Island Staten Hort Society 6th Annual Dahlias show at the Public Museum of Arts & Science.
In addition to his achievements with dahlias, Mr. Cooley was also a pioneer in cultivating and commercializing figs on Staten Island. Dahlia enthusiasts from far and wide visited to witness his extraordinary blooms firsthand. Passed away in 1932 at 67 years old.
Yes, shucking oysters provided good money, but it was grueling, demanding work.
LUCILLIE CAINS
HOUSE OF FLOWERS
Above: She won first prize for “Originality” a hat of 35 Hawaiian orchids and baby flowers at the show at the Metropolitan Retail Florist Show. She was the only Afro-American florist exhibiting at the show. This took a lot of courage in New York in 1954. She got her flowers from Thomas Young Orchid Grower in the Floral District. She was 56 at the time. Amazingly beautiful woman.
She supplied Billie Holiday with gardenias. Her store closed in 2011.
Lucille married into the business in 1918, 2306 Seventh Avenue, Harlem. Over those years she was devoted to the floral district all those years. She was born in 1898.
Benjamin Franklin Butler Jr.
BUTLER’S FLOWERS
Benjamin Franklin Butler established the first Black-owned florist shop in Brooklyn in 1919 at 1710 Fulton Street, Brooklyn. Records show that, at the age of 17, he was a florist helper. At 22, he was newly married, and he and his wife resided in the apartment above the shop. The business served the community for over 40 years before closing its doors in 1963 when he passed away. He took part in local politics and served his community.
More to come…..