Andrew Carnegie’s Legacy at Seventh Ave So. and Leroy Street

The Hudson Park Library, which opened on January 24, 1906, is one of Manhattan’s twenty remaining Carnegie libraries. This red brick structure was designed by the renowned architectural firm of Carrere & Hastings (who just a few years later would design and build the main branch of the New York Public Library at 42nd Street), […]

National Cheese Lover’s Day

National Cheeselovers Day is celebrated on January 20th each year. Not to be confused with National Cheese Day (celebrated on June 4) or National Wine and Cheese Day (celebrated on July 25th), this day is for those of us who love to celebrate all that is cheese! In honor of this glorious occasion, today we highlight […]

    19th Century Irish Immigrant Community Building #SouthOfUnionSquare

    As we continue to research the historically and architecturally significant area South of Union Square, we uncover more important history that unfolded in the area every day. Recently, we discovered the presence of philanthropist, businessman, and Irish immigrant Andrew Carrigan, who helped transform the lives of Irish immigrants in New York in the 19th century, […]

    Opposing Gov. Hochul’s Proposal to Allow Supersized Development in NYC Neighborhoods

    Earlier this month, Governor Hochul proposed eliminating the longstanding, reasonable, and necessary cap on the size of residential developments in New York State, which limits it to a floor area ratio of 12 (12 FAR). To give context, the over 1000-ft.-tall supertall towers of 57th Street’s “Billionaire’s Row” were built under zoning that only allows […]

    The Humble and Hol(e)y Bagel

    Being treated as an object of contention is, to New Yorkers, a form of high praise. By this measure, the quintessential New York food must be the bagel. A source of disagreement over its origins, its definition, its best purveyors, and its proper add-ons, the bagel offers those looking for a debate over breakfast a […]

      The Civilian Warfare Gallery: Artists in Combat

      Founded by artists and partners Alan Barrows and Dean Savard in 1982, Civilian Warfare is one of the most under-interpreted yet incredibly influential galleries in the East Village’s art scene. Barrows and Savard started the gallery during the height of the Regan Era and the HIV/AIDS Crisis, when the East Village was plagued by rampant […]

      Victory: Punitive SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Measure Vetoed!

      We are thrilled to report that late Friday Mayor Adams vetoed a draconian, punitive measure we opposed introduced by (now former) City Councilmember Margaret Chin and approved in December by the City Council (including local Councilmembers Carlina Rivera and Corey Johnson). That measure would have imposed crippling fines on noncertified artist residents of certain types of […]

      The Eclectic Streetscapes #SouthOfUnionSquare

      Beautifully detailed 1899 “Mail & Express” Broadway Streetscape Illustrations demonstrate the urgency of Village Preservation’s campaign to landmark the area #SouthOfUnionSquare. The neighborhood #SouthOfUnionSquare can be characterized as a true crossroads — where art, politics, industry, commerce, the New York elite, and the working class collided to create an eclectic built environment and cultural ferment emblematic of […]

      Fourteenth Street and Fifth Avenue: A Window into the Development of the City

      We have previously researched the Dutch ownership of the lands within the area south of Union Square, land that was originally home to the native Lenape people. The Dutch took over the Lenape’s land and began allocating different parcels to wealthy Dutchmen, leaders, and new settlers in the area. The prominent Elias Brevoort, a wealthy […]

        #SouthOfUnionSquare, the Birthplace of American Modernism: Atelier 17

        “South of Union Square, the Birthplace of American Modernism” is a series that explores how the area south of Union Square shaped some of the most influential American artists of the 20th century. Throughout the 20th century, the area south of Union Square attracted painters, writers, publishers, and radical social organizations, many of whom were […]

        Business of the Month: Unoppressive Non-Imperialist Bargain Books, 34 Carmine Street

        Your input is needed! Today we feature our latest Business of the Month — help us to select the next. Tell us which independent store you love in Greenwich Village, the East Village, or NoHo: click here to nominate your favorite. Want to help support small businesses? Share this post with friends. Why suffer the dehumanizing impersonality of online shopping […]

        Urge Mayor Adams to Veto Draconian SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Measure

        Intro 2443A was passed by the City Council late last year along with the SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Upzoning + Displacement Plan, with almost no discussion or debate. The bill imposes draconian penalties upon residents of SoHo, NoHo, and parts of Chinatown who are not certified artists, endangering their ability to remain in their own homes, some of […]

          Welcome to Our 2022 Interns!

          Village Preservation’s team is a strong one – we’re lucky to have a group of interns who are looking to gain experience in historic preservation in a non-profit environment. Internships are paid, and our interns come from all educational and life backgrounds. We work together to tailor internship experiences to fit an intern’s skills and […]

            Five More Reasons to Support Historic Preservation

            We all know that historic preservation makes our cities and neighborhoods more beautiful, more distinctive, and full of the character which makes them vibrant, desirable places to live. Our neighborhoods — Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo — certainly exemplify that, but historic neighborhoods across the city, country, and world illustrate this irrefutable fact. […]

              Handouts to Big Real Estate, and a Festivus for the Rest of Us!

              This holiday of Festivus was developed as an alternative to the commercialization of the Christmas season and is celebrated annually on December 23rd. First celebrated in the mid-1960s by author and editor Daniel O’Keefe (father of Seinfeld writer Dan O’Keefe) it was popularized on Seinfeld’s December 18, 1997, episode “The Strike” when Kramer refuses to […]

                #SouthOfUnionSquare, the Birthplace of American Modernism: Yasuo Kuniyoshi

                “South of Union Square, the Birthplace of American Modernism” is a series that explores how the area south of Union Square shaped some of the most influential American artists of the 20th century. Throughout the 20th century, the area south of Union Square attracted painters, writers, publishers, and radical social organizations, many of whom were challenging […]

                2021 Village Preservation Public Programs Round-Up

                As we close the chapter on yet another wild and successful of year of public programs at Village Preservation, we wanted to take the time to reflect and highlight some of 2021’s best moments. Despite the twists and turns of this year’s ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, we’ve hosted 80 different educational lectures, book talks, and walking […]

                #SouthOfUnionSquare, the Birthplace of American Modernism: Mary Fife Laning

                “South of Union Square, the Birthplace of American Modernism” is a series that explores how the area south of Union Square shaped some of the most influential American artists of the 20th century. Throughout the 20th century, the area south of Union Square attracted painters, writers, publishers, and radical social organizations, many of whom were challenging accepted […]

                Beyond the Village and Back: Ukrainian Institute of America

                On the corner of East 79th Street and 5th Avenue stands a 19th-century chateau that wouldn’t be out of place in the Loire Valley, yet seems just as comfortable on the Upper East Side. It’s been home to the Ukrainian Institute of America for nearly seven decades, but thanks to its previous inhabitants, this historic structure also holds an interesting connection with the early days of Greenwich Village and New York City.

                John Hammond: Villager & 20th Century’s Most Influential Producer

                While the name of John Hammond Sr. (December 15, 1910 – July 10, 1987) might be unfamiliar to some, as a talent scout, producer, musicologist, broadcaster, journalist, and mentor, he helped the world to discover artists from Billie Holiday to Bob Dylan and scores more in between. Hammond was absolutely one of the most transformative figures […]

                Business of the Month: Raffetto’s, 144 West Houston Street

                Your input is needed! Today we feature our latest Business of the Month — help us to select the next. Tell us which independent store you love in Greenwich Village, the East Village, or NoHo: click here to nominate your favorite. Want to help support small businesses? Share this post with friends. La vita è una combinazione di pasta e […]

                  City Council Approves SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Upzoning + Displacement Plan

                  Hard-Fought-For Changes Will Blunt Some of Worst Elements of Plan, which Remains Giant Real Estate Giveaway Late yesterday the City Council voted 43 to 5 to approve the revised version of the Mayor’s SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Upzoning + Displacement plan. As we previously reported, after months of fighting, the plan was modified to eliminate or lessen some […]

                    #SouthOfUnionSquare, the Birthplace of American Modernism: Edward Laning

                    “South of Union Square, the Birthplace of American Modernism” is a series that explores how the area south of Union Square shaped some of the most influential American artists of the 20th century. Throughout the 20th century, the area south of Union Square attracted painters, writers, publishers, and radical social organizations, many of whom were […]

                    Village Preservation Merchandise Makes Great Holiday Gifts

                    Scrambling to find the perfect holiday or year-end gift? Or feel you’ve earned yourself a treat after a busy annum? Village Preservation has the answer, with an array of gifts made even more meaningful because your purchase supports the cause of preservation. We offer everything from prints of historic photos to tote bags, tea towels […]

                      SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Rezoning Reminder: Final Vote as Soon as Wednesday, Call and E-Mail TODAY

                      The full City Council appears poised to vote on the revised SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Upzoning+Displacement Plan as soon as this Wednesday (full Council is currently scheduled to meet at 1:30 pm). It’s CRITICAL that City Councilmembers hear from you NOW that the revised plan — which would still promote grossly oversized development, the demolition of rent-regulated affordable […]

                      Greer Lankton: An Artist’s Life in the Village of the Dolls

                      Greer Lankton (she/her, April 21, 1958 – November 18, 1996) was an East Village-based multidisciplinary artist who worked in illustration, photography, and sculpture. She’s mostly known for creating lifelike paper-mache dolls of celebrities, and she explored themes around celebrity iconography, beauty standards, and the white feminine ideal. While not all of her dolls were of […]

                      Analysis of de Blasio’s Big SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Lie

                      We have a new video for you! But first, let us recapitulate how we got here…  An extremely profitable displacement plan is what de Blasio wants to give SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown landlords for Christmas. The City Council’s Zoning Subcommittee is about to vote on it and likely determine its fate. From the outset, the City has rationalized […]

                      City Council Committee Approves SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Upzoning + Displacement Plan With Modifications

                      Yesterday the City Council’s Zoning Subcommittee and Land Use Committee each voted to approve a revised SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Upzoning + Displacement Plan, with changes negotiated by Councilmembers Margaret Chin and Carlina Rivera, who urged their colleagues on the committee to support the plan. All but one did. In short, the revised plan is a bit less […]

                      Small Business, Big History: Tudor Rose Antiques

                      Tudor Rose Antiques has been part of the fabric of Greenwich Village since 1978. The shop specializes in antique sterling silver decorative items and fine jewelry, and is a great place to find a unique and highly personal gift or addition to your home. The store is located at 43 Greenwich Avenue between Perry Street […]

                        Council Appears Poised to Vote on SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Plan TODAY, as New Financial Analysis Shows Fatal Flaws in Affordable Housing Claims

                        After several delays, the City Council’s Zoning Subcommittee and Land Use Committee appear poised to vote on the massive SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Upzoning + Displacement plan today starting at approximately 11:30 am. There has been no public word on what if any changes the Council may make to the plan, though we have good reason to believe […]

                        Explore Jewish History on Our Greenwich Village Historic District Map

                        Greenwich Village is a community rich with Jewish history, especially within the area that in 1969 was designated as one of the city’s first and largest historic districts. That legacy manifests in so many ways, including several incredibly prominent elected leaders of the 20th century who called Greenwich Village home. We’ll take a look at […]

                        Oral History: Ayo Harrington’s East Village

                        Village Preservation shares our oral history collection with the public, highlighting some of the people and stories that make Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo such unique and vibrant neighborhoods. Each includes the experiences and insights of leaders or long-time participants in the arts, culture, preservation, business, or civic life. Ayo Harrington has been […]

                        City Council Vote On SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Pushed Back to Week of December 6 — CALL AND WRITE NOW!

                        The vote on Mayor de Blasio’s SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Upzoning+Displacement plan, originally expected this Thursday, has now been pushed back to next week, with the first vote in the Council’s Zoning Subcommittee as early as next Tuesday. While we understand changes to the plan are being considered by the Council, most if not all appear to be […]

                        Abbie Hoffman: East Village Counterculture Icon

                        Abbie Hoffman, born Abbot Howard Hoffman on November 30, 1936, was an American political and social activist who co-founded the Youth International Party (“Yippies”) and was a member of the Chicago Seven. A leader of the counterculture movement of the late 1960s and a vocal anti-war proponent, it is no wonder that he found himself in […]

                        SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Vote Likely This Week — Flood the City Council with Calls and Letters

                        The City Council’s Zoning Subcommittee will vote on the Mayor’s SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Upzoning+Displacement plan as early as this Thursday, setting the stage for the final decision by the full City Council. It’s critical that Councilmembers hear from you NOW! Call your councilmember and tell them to vote NO. Tell them changes aren’t enough, the plan needs […]

                        Candy Darling: A Superstar in Her Own Right

                        Candy Darling (She/Her, November 24, 1944 — March 21, 1974) was a transgender icon and muse for well-known artists and musicians like Andy Warhol and The Velvet Underground. Darling was an influential Downtown character throughout the 1960s, often interacting with its creative scene through Seymour Levy’s “Salon” on Bleecker Street. She was one of Andy […]

                        De Blasio’s Great SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Developer Giveaway (Video!)

                        The greed orgy that is de Blasio’s SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown rezoning is currently before the Land Use Committee of the City Council, which held a public hearing on the matter on November 9. Opponents of the plan greatly outnumbered its proponents, which consisted primarily of Open New York-affiliated individuals (more on them and their fine leadership, a […]

                          Celebrate National Espresso Day Locally

                          Espresso is a brewing method many of us take for granted, but which is a relatively recent invention in the history of coffee. We can trace espresso back to an 1884 invention by Angelo Moriondo, from Turin. His device was the first that controlled the supply of steam and water separately through the coffee. In […]

                            de Blasio’s Great SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Developer Giveaway (Video!)

                            The greed orgy that is de Blasio’s SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown rezoning is currently before the Land Use Committee of the City Council, which held a public hearing on the matter on November 9. Opponents of the plan greatly outnumbered its proponents, which consisted primarily of Open New York-affiliated individuals (more on them and their fine leadership here); […]

                              SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Rezoning Vote Likely After Thanksgiving; Video and Final Push for ‘No’ Vote

                              The first (and in many ways most important) of three required votes in the City Council on the Mayor’s disastrous SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Upzoning + Displacement plan may take place as early as next Thursday, December 2, when the City Council’s Zoning Subcommittee meets again. The subcommittee must vote on the plan, followed by the Land Use […]

                              Oral History Highlight: Colette Smith Douglas

                              Village Preservation shares our oral history collection with the public, highlighting some of the people and stories that make Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo such unique and vibrant neighborhoods. Each includes the experiences and insights of leaders or long-time participants in the arts, culture, preservation, business, or civic life. Colette Smith Douglas, born […]

                              National Farm to City Week Highlights the Bounty of Greenmarkets in our Neighborhoods

                              Did you know that National Farm to City Week begins the Thursday before Thanksgiving? This special week celebrates and recognizes the beneficial partnerships between rural and urban communities that make our food supply safe and plentiful. The Thanksgiving season is a time when many Americans gather with their families and reflect upon many blessings. One […]

                              David Amram: Artist, Composer, and Beloved Villager

                              David Werner Amram III is an American composer, arranger, and conductor of orchestral, chamber, and choral works, many with jazz flavorings. He plays piano, French horn, Spanish guitar, and pennywhistle, sings, and is passionate about teaching music to newer generations. In 2014, Village Preservation conducted an oral history with Amram that explores his childhood, adolescent inspirations, young adulthood in Greenwich Village, amazing […]

                              #SouthOfUnionSquare, the Birthplace of American Modernism: The Artist Studios of 30 East 14th Street

                              “South of Union Square, the Birthplace of American Modernism” is a series that explores how the area south of Union Square shaped some of the most influential American artists of the 20th century. Throughout the 20th century, the area south of Union Square attracted painters, writers, publishers, and radical social organizations, many of whom were […]

                              An East Village Raid On The ‘Wobblies’ Hobbles, But Doesn’t Destroy, the I.W.W.

                              In 1917, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation launched a series of raids on offices around the nation belonging to the Industrial Workers of the World (also known as the the IWW, or the “Wobblies”), an international labor union that was alleged to have had ties to socialist, syndicalist, and anarchist organizations. When the United […]

                              Beyond the Village and Back: The Juilliard School

                              The Juilliard School is one of the world’s most respected schools for the performing arts. Ensconced in its Lincoln Center home for more than 50 years, the school can boast an impressive list of alumni among actors, musicians, playwrights, and dancers: William Hurt, Patti LuPone, Mandy Patinkin, Adam Driver, Tim Blake Nelson, and Christopher Reeve and Robin Williams (roommates in the 1970s), to name a few. And even though Juilliard is best known as an Upper West Side school, its origins in Greenwich Village in the early 20th century tie it in with an even older and more historic local institution.

                              #SouthOfUnionSquare Master Architect: James Renwick, Jr.

                              The neighborhood #SouthOfUnionSquare can be characterized as a true crossroads — where art, politics, industry, commerce, the New York elite, and the working class collided to create an eclectic built environment and cultural ferment emblematic of New York City’s status as America’s “melting pot.” While some have cited this eclecticism as a reason why the […]

                              Business of the Month: Berber Street Food, 35 Carmine Street (CLOSED)

                              Your input is needed! Today we feature our latest Business of the Month — help us to select the next. Tell us which independent store you love in Greenwich Village, the East Village, or NoHo: click here to nominate your favorite. Want to help support small businesses? Share this post with friends. In these turbulent and divisive times, we could […]

                                SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Upzoning Update: Report Shows City’s Rezoning Projections Are Way Off Target

                                Yesterday’s City Council hearing on the Mayor’s proposed SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Upzoning/Displacement plan lasted about seven hours, with opponents — many longtime residents of rent-regulated housing threatened with displacement by the plan — vastly outnumbering supporters of the plan, nearly all of whom were associated with a single group that advocates stripping landmark designations and allowing maximum […]

                                  #SouthOfUnionSquare, the Birthplace of American Modernism: Raphael and Moses Soyer

                                  “South of Union Square, the Birthplace of American Modernism” is a series that explores how the area south of Union Square shaped some of the most influential American artists of the 20th century. In the 20th century, the area south of Union Square attracted painters, writers, publishers, and radical social organizations, many of whom were […]

                                  Little Free Libraries of Our Neighborhoods and Beyond

                                  Have you ever seen these little boxes when you’re out on a stroll around the neighborhood? Noticed that they were full of fabulous books, magazines, and information? These birdhouse-shaped depositories are part of Little Free Libraries, a grassroots initiative to promote the free exchange of books between neighbors.  The Little Free Library is a 501(c)3 […]

                                  Eat Vegan and Support Local Businesses!

                                  No matter where you are in Greenwich Village, NoHo, or the East Village, you are within walking (or ordering) distance of a wide range of culinary options. There are dozens of vegetarian and vegan venues here, some of which opened when the term “vegan” was still unfamiliar to most, while others are new to the […]

                                    Washington Square Park, Once the Land of the Lenape

                                    Today we’re highlighting the rich Indigenous history of our neighborhood. This is crucial both to understand and respect the full history of the land we live on, and to recognize the story and experience of consistently marginalized groups. Washington Square Park, once a farming land and gathering place for the Lenape, tranformed over two centuries […]

                                    Neighbors, Elected Officials, and Preservationists Protest Demolition of Nine Landmarked Meatpacking District Houses

                                    Last Thursday, Village Preservation was joined by Borough President Gale Brewer, Assemblymember Deborah Glick, the Historic Districts Council, Save Chelsea, Save Gansevoort, a representative of State Senator Brad Hoylman, and Third Council District Democratic Nominee Erik Bottcher for a demonstration and press conference condemning the city and a developer tearing down most of nine city, […]

                                    City Council Virtual Hearing on Disastrous SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Upzoning Plan TODAY — PLEASE TESTIFY AND/OR SUBMIT COMMENTS!

                                    The City Council’s sole public hearing on the massive and disastrous proposed upzoning of SoHo, NoHo, and parts of Chinatown will be Tuesday, November 9, in the Zoning Subcommittee of the City Council. The virtual meeting begins at 10 am, but this is the fourth and final agenda item, so this item’s hearing is not […]

                                    Image Archive Collection: The High Line in 1979 — Noah Greenberg’s “Manhattan Promenade” Proposal

                                    We recently added a new collection to our historic image archive, Noah Greenberg’s “Manhattan Promenade” Proposal. This collection dates from 1979, and includes shots of what we now know as the High Line, at a unique moment in its history. Scroll down to see a sample of the collection, or click here to see all […]

                                    Making Photographic History #SouthOfUnionSquare

                                    Today we’re celebrating the accomplishments of some historic lenspeople who made their mark in the neighborhood South of Union Square. Photography was one of the many creative industries shaped and transformed by this district (one that has yet to be recognized and protected by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, but you can help preserve the area […]

                                    Celebrating World Pasta Day

                                    Not to be confused with National Pasta Day on October 17th, World Pasta Day was established on October 25th, 1995 by forty pasta producers from around the world gathered at the first World Pasta Congress. Two areas in our neighborhoods were hubs of Italian immigration and settlement in the late 19th century. The South Village, […]

                                    Rally To Save Nine Landmarked Houses in the Meatpacking District

                                    Please join Village Preservation, the Historic Districts Council, and Save Chelsea this Thursday at 1 pm for a rally and press conference at 14th Street and Ninth Avenue to protest the city-approved near-complete demolition of nine landmarked 1840s houses at 44-54 Ninth Avenue/351 West 14th Street in the Gansevoort Market Historic District, and to demand […]

                                      Facts and Data Continue To Contradict Upzoning Argument

                                      or YIMBY Movement: A Flat Earth Society for the 21st Century  Earlier this month, I wrote an op-ed citing two recent analyses — one about new housing construction by neighborhood in New York City, the other about affordable housing prices by neighborhood — which showed that the YIMBY (‘Yes In My Backyard’) theory that simply […]

                                      Meet the Interns, Fall 2021

                                      Village Preservation’s team is a strong one – we’re lucky to have a group of interns who are looking to gain experience in historic preservation in a non-profit environment. Internships are paid, and our interns come from all educational and life backgrounds. We work together to tailor internship experiences to fit an intern’s skills and […]

                                        #SouthOfUnionSquare, the Birthplace of American Modernism: Reginald Marsh

                                        “South of Union Square, the Birthplace of American Modernism” is a series that explores how the area south of Union Square shaped some of the most influential American artists of the 20th century. In the 20th century, the area south of Union Square attracted painters, writers, publishers, and radical social organizations, many of whom were […]

                                        Officials Stonewall on Information Regarding Condition of Nine Landmarked Meatpacking District Houses, OK Demolition

                                        City agencies have continued to refuse to provide information about the basis for deciding that nine landmarked 1840s houses at 44-54 Ninth Avenue/351-55 West 14th Street in the Meatpacking District are “unsafe” and in imminent danger of collapse unless demolished (all but the party walls), even though there are no signs of stress, cracking, listing, or other […]

                                          #SouthofUnionSquare: Pre-Civil War Buildings

                                          Our research on the area south of Union Square has revealed treasure troves of rich architecture and history connected to the film, the labor movement, and the arts, among many other subject areas. Yet the neighborhood remains without landmarks protections. This is especially vexing given its concentration of buildings from the earliest stages of our […]

                                          Sharing the Literary Legacy of a Powerful Poet: Amiri Baraka

                                          Amiri Baraka (October 7, 1934 – January 9, 2014), born Everett Leroy “LeRoi” Jones in Newark, was one of Greenwich Village’s most outspoken poets of the Black Arts Movement during the 1960s and ’70s. His political advocacy was both illuminating and confrontational, as he attempted to use his writing to document his experience of blackness […]

                                          John Guare Oral History: a Writer of the Theater, and of Greenwich Village

                                          Village Preservation shares our oral history collection with the public, highlighting some of the people and stories that make Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo such unique and vibrant neighborhoods. Each includes the experiences and insights of leaders or long-time participants in the arts, culture, preservation, business, or civic life. John Guare was born […]

                                          Three Up, Three Down: Explore Our Greek Revival Heritage in Six Buildings

                                          Two centuries ago, a war began in Europe that would shape boundaries and alliances on the continent for years to come. Greece, which for centuries had been under Ottoman rule, began a war for independence in 1821, and with help from the United Kingdom, France, and Russia, achieved victory and became its own nation by […]

                                          New Oral History: Playwright John Guare and 60 Years of Life In Greenwich Village

                                          Playwright John Guare has been connected to the Greenwich Village theater scene for more than 60 years. From Caffe Cino to the Public Theatre, The House of Blue Leaves to Six Degrees of Separation and beyond, he’s left an indelible mark on American theater, especially the kind of innovative playwrighting and performance that has been rooted in our neighborhoods for generations.  […]

                                            ‘Manhattan Promenade’: The Plan for Adaptive Reuse of the High Line ca. 1979, and Other New Historic Images

                                            We’re proud to share with the public new historic images and materials from a 1979 proposal by Greenwich Village architect Noah Greenberg to turn the abandoned West Side Elevated Rail Line that ran through his neighborhood into a “park in the sky” called “Manhattan Promenade.” While the proposal was well received at the time, it of course never came […]

                                              Business of the Month: Lovewild Design, 136 Avenue C

                                              Your input is needed! Today we feature our latest Business of the Month — help us to select the next. Tell us which independent store you love in Greenwich Village, the East Village, or NoHo: click here to nominate your favorite. Want to help support small businesses? Share this post with friends. These days, even a passing acquaintance with news […]

                                              Architecture #SouthOfUnionSquare: the German-American Legacy

                                              October, which is German-American Heritage Month, celebrates the contributions Germans and German-Americans have made to American history and culture. In the late 19th century, the largest German-speaking community in the world outside of Berlin and Vienna was centered in the blocks east of Fifth Avenue between 14th and Houston Street, including in the area South […]

                                              The Northern Dispensary and God’s Love We Deliver

                                              For decades, the Northern Dispensary on Grove Street and Waverly Place has sat vacant. A deed restriction requires the building to serve the poor and infirm, limiting possible uses and occupants. Plans to revive it over the years have failed, until now, as it was recently announced that God’s Love We Deliver has leased the […]

                                              Theater Thursday Round Up

                                                      It’s Theater Thursday, and for the first time in a long time, we have good news to report on that front!  In case you’ve been out of the loop, our beloved theatrical institutions have been closed for the past year and a half due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  It was an excruciating time for […]