In 1936 three young working women from Manhattan made their way to Hamilton Avenue and the banks of the fetid Gowanus Canal where they bid $160 on an old canal barge, fixed it up with their pals and some curious and amused Gowanus characters and eventually turned it into a summer home! This is one of the stories featured in our piece Gowanus Underworld. These impulsive and spirited woman were an inspiration to me and Amy. Amy went as far to republish the book Dorthy Bennett wrote about their experience and I painted the cover. I keep telling Amy we should re-enact their experience.
Anyone got a barge to sell for $160?