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lead belly’s apartment

from lead belly posted in music by pete_nice

Huddie William Ledbetter, more widely known as Lead Belly, and his wife, Martha, lived at this apartment building in New York City in the 1940s.

The famous folk singer lived at this apartment until he died of Lou Gehrigs's disease in NYC on December 6, 1949.

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woody and mary guthrie’s apartment

from woody guthrie posted in music by crabapple

After the release of Dust Bowl Ballads in the summer of 1940, Guthrie was also working on numerous NYC radio programs. He sent for his wife and three children to join him at this four bedroom apartment.

The apartment became a social hub of Guthrie's world: the folks that continuously streamed included Alan Lomax, Lead Belly, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee.

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mcsorley’s ale house

from woody guthrie posted in music by corporate_sunshine

This East Village bar has been around since somewhere between 1854-1865, and has been a vibrant part of the neighborhood since then.

Writers like Brendan Behan and Paul Blackburn were regulars here. E.E. Cummings described McSorley's as "the ale which never lets you grow old" as well as "snug and evil."

Other notable visitors include Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Boss Tweed.

Here is a picture of Woody Guthrie performing there in 1943.

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woody guthrie water tower

from woody guthrie posted in music by crabapple

In 1972, this water tower was erected and the words "Home of Woody Guthrie" were painted on the side.

The move was vehemently opposed by the Okemah City Council and the local Chamber of Commerce for fear that America's most famous folk singer was purportedly a communist.

The other water towers read "Hot" and "Cold".

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woody guthrie boyhood home

from woody guthrie posted in music by crabapple

Just down the street, on the Woody Guthrie family lot, is a tall cedar tree that has been carved into a Guthrie memorial.

On the east side, the carving reads W.G. and Okemah, and the other side says "This Land is Your Land." There is a path and a handrail up to the carving.

The carving was done by the neighbor across the street who has other carvings in his yard.

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