Gossip Bench

From "Lexington" by Mary Wilson and Sharon Y. Asher, published sometime after 1975.

THE GOSSIP BENCH

After a day's work many of the men of the community would gather on benches placed along sidewalks near the popular buildings to talk and exchange items of news. Thus, grew the popularity of the "gossip bench." In the winters the benches were moved inside the stores and often the men sat "gossiping" as late as ten o'clock at night. At meal times the "gossip benches" were conspicuously empty. An eavesdropper was often entertained with tall tales and spun yarns about subjects as far ranging as horses to women. With the invention of radio and television, however, the "gossip bench" soon disappeared from view.

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