FLOWER DELIVERY BOYS
The flower delivery boys were the backbone of New York’s floral industry—from the Manhattan Market in 1833 to the bustling Flower District around Union Square Park between the 1880s and 1910.
These young boys became legends in their own right, playing a vital yet often overlooked role in shaping the city’s floral trade. Some went on to become prominent figures—like Charles Thorley, a pioneering florist; Langston Hughes, the iconic African American poet and writer; and Wesley Williams, New York’s first Black firefighter.
Most began their journey earning just a few cents delivering floral arrangements and plants. The holidays brought the busiest—and sometimes the most hopeful—times. Many of these boys were homeless or worked to support struggling families. Some never made it back home.
Their resilience and labor laid the foundation for the Floral District we cherish today
Your purchase not only helps cover the operational costs of the NYC Historic Floral District Museum, it also directly supports our mission-driven programs that empower individuals through education, training, and opportunity in the floral industry.
Thank you for standing with us and helping flowers change lives.
The 100% cotton unisex classic tee will help you land a more structured look. It sits nicely, maintains sharp lines around the edges, and goes perfectly with layered streetwear outfits. Plus, it's extra trendy now!
• 100% cotton
• Sport Grey is 90% cotton, 10% polyester
• Ash Grey is 99% cotton, 1% polyester
• Heather colors are 50% cotton, 50% polyester
• Fabric weight: 5.0–5.3 oz/yd² (170-180 g/m²)
• Open-end yarn
• Tubular fabric
• Taped neck and shoulders
• Double seam at sleeves and bottom hem
• Blank product sourced from Honduras, Nicaragua, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Bangladesh, Mexico
Disclaimers:
• Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.
• Dark color speckles throughout the fabric are expected for the color Natural.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
The flower delivery boys were the backbone of New York’s floral industry—from the Manhattan Market in 1833 to the bustling Flower District around Union Square Park between the 1880s and 1910.
These young boys became legends in their own right, playing a vital yet often overlooked role in shaping the city’s floral trade. Some went on to become prominent figures—like Charles Thorley, a pioneering florist; Langston Hughes, the iconic African American poet and writer; and Wesley Williams, New York’s first Black firefighter.
Most began their journey earning just a few cents delivering floral arrangements and plants. The holidays brought the busiest—and sometimes the most hopeful—times. Many of these boys were homeless or worked to support struggling families. Some never made it back home.
Their resilience and labor laid the foundation for the Floral District we cherish today
Your purchase not only helps cover the operational costs of the NYC Historic Floral District Museum, it also directly supports our mission-driven programs that empower individuals through education, training, and opportunity in the floral industry.
Thank you for standing with us and helping flowers change lives.
The 100% cotton unisex classic tee will help you land a more structured look. It sits nicely, maintains sharp lines around the edges, and goes perfectly with layered streetwear outfits. Plus, it's extra trendy now!
• 100% cotton
• Sport Grey is 90% cotton, 10% polyester
• Ash Grey is 99% cotton, 1% polyester
• Heather colors are 50% cotton, 50% polyester
• Fabric weight: 5.0–5.3 oz/yd² (170-180 g/m²)
• Open-end yarn
• Tubular fabric
• Taped neck and shoulders
• Double seam at sleeves and bottom hem
• Blank product sourced from Honduras, Nicaragua, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Bangladesh, Mexico
Disclaimers:
• Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.
• Dark color speckles throughout the fabric are expected for the color Natural.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
The flower delivery boys were the backbone of New York’s floral industry—from the Manhattan Market in 1833 to the bustling Flower District around Union Square Park between the 1880s and 1910.
These young boys became legends in their own right, playing a vital yet often overlooked role in shaping the city’s floral trade. Some went on to become prominent figures—like Charles Thorley, a pioneering florist; Langston Hughes, the iconic African American poet and writer; and Wesley Williams, New York’s first Black firefighter.
Most began their journey earning just a few cents delivering floral arrangements and plants. The holidays brought the busiest—and sometimes the most hopeful—times. Many of these boys were homeless or worked to support struggling families. Some never made it back home.
Their resilience and labor laid the foundation for the Floral District we cherish today
Your purchase not only helps cover the operational costs of the NYC Historic Floral District Museum, it also directly supports our mission-driven programs that empower individuals through education, training, and opportunity in the floral industry.
Thank you for standing with us and helping flowers change lives.
The 100% cotton unisex classic tee will help you land a more structured look. It sits nicely, maintains sharp lines around the edges, and goes perfectly with layered streetwear outfits. Plus, it's extra trendy now!
• 100% cotton
• Sport Grey is 90% cotton, 10% polyester
• Ash Grey is 99% cotton, 1% polyester
• Heather colors are 50% cotton, 50% polyester
• Fabric weight: 5.0–5.3 oz/yd² (170-180 g/m²)
• Open-end yarn
• Tubular fabric
• Taped neck and shoulders
• Double seam at sleeves and bottom hem
• Blank product sourced from Honduras, Nicaragua, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Bangladesh, Mexico
Disclaimers:
• Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.
• Dark color speckles throughout the fabric are expected for the color Natural.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!