So Much To Be Thankful For In 2024!

Village Preservation has a lot to be thankful for this year. We often embark on yearslong campaigns to research and document history and to advocate for historic preservation. Today we look at some of the reasons we are thankful this Thanksgiving week of 2024: Landmarking of 50 West 13th On October 22, 2024, following a […]

    The First Performance at the Provincetown Playhouse : A Milestone in American Theater

    In 1918, a small but revolutionary event took place in the heart of Greenwich Village, forever changing the landscape of American theater. The Provincetown Playhouse, a humble venue at 133 MacDougal Street, hosted its first performance, marking the beginning of an artistic movement that would shape the future of modern theatre in the United States. […]

    A Lifelong Commitment to the Village — Margaret Halsey Gardiner’s Oral History, Pt. 2

    This is the second part of our series on Margaret “Pi” Gardiner. Click here to read Part 1. Our new oral history explores the legacy of Margaret “Pi” Gardiner, Greenwich Village native and long-time executive director of the Merchant’s House Museum. Published this past October, Pi’s interview with our oral historian, Josie Naron, illuminates how […]

    Ragtime: The Turn of the 20th Century in the East Village

    The movie Ragtime, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Milos Forman, follows the stories of several historic and fictional characters through turn of the 20th century New York, New Rochelle, and Atlantic City. Released on November 20, 1981, it was nominated for eight Oscars, seven Golden Globes and a Grammy for best original soundtrack, but didn’t win […]

      City of Yes: A Final Assessment

      New York City has been experiencing a housing emergency since Tony Manero was strutting down the sidewalks of Bay Ridge in 1977’s “Saturday Night Fever.” This emergency consists of a mismatch between the price of existing housing and the means of local residents. This mismatch is disproportionally found at the bottom of the market, where […]

      Three Renowned Village Architects, Born in November

      Are Scorpios the most architecturally attuned astrological sign? This is the question that came to mind when I realized that three of New York City’s and the Village’s most celebrated and renowned architects were all born in early November. I know next to nothing about the Zodiac, but according to a Google search, Scorpios are […]

      Co-Named Streets Commemorate Local Heroes

      We’ve all seen them: signs installed under the actual names of local streets, recognizing a neighborhood notable with a “way,” “place,” or “corner.” While we sometimes know the honorees, more often than not the people on these “co-named” street signs are unknown to most passers-by. A New York City agency recently released the means for […]

      Delia Ephron and Left on Tenth: A Broadway Play Set in the Heart of the Village

      Delia Ephron, the celebrated writer and longtime Greenwich Village resident known for her poignant and humorous storytelling, is now bringing her unique voice to the Broadway stage with Left on Tenth, a play that draws from her own life and her deep connection to Greenwich Village. Ephron, who is beloved for her novels, essays, and […]

      Talkin’ Greenwich Village: Folk Music’s Legacy in the Village

      The 1960s was an era defined by political unrest, civil rights protests, and the re-popularization of American folk music. Author David Browne’s book, Talkin’ Greenwich Village: The Heady Rise and Slow Fall of America’s Bohemian Music explores the significance of Greenwich Village as an epicenter for folk and other countercultural movements in the mid-20th century, […]

        A Lifelong Commitment to the Village – Margaret Halsey Gardiner’s Oral History, Pt. 1

        Our new oral history published in October of 2024 celebrates the legacy of Margaret “Pi” Gardiner, Greenwich Village native and long-time executive director of the Merchant’s House Museum. Published this past October, Pi’s interview with our oral historian, Josie Naron, illuminates how her family’s deep history in New York City and Long Island inspired her […]

        Business of the Month: Downtown Burritos, 69 First Avenue

        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. If you want to eat mole poblano, one […]

        The Oval Office through the Village

        On this day after Election Day, presidential history marches on. And that history has often marched through Greenwich Village and the East Village, as denizens of both the White House and 1 Observatory Circle (the vice president’s residence) have made their marks in our communities. Aaron Burr at Richmond Hill The Charlton-King-VanDam Historic District was […]

          The Cast and the Curious 3: South of Union Square

          The neighborhood South of Union Square is one of New York City’s great centers of cast iron architecture. This area includes some of the city’s earliest surviving fully cast-iron buildings, as well as predominantly masonry buildings with distinctive and elaborate cast iron ground floors or ornament. Our South Of Union Square Cast Iron Tour includes […]

            Celebrating Black History in Local Designations

            We are excited to see the Landmarks Preservation Commission publish the designation report for the Jacob Day House, Manhattan’s newest landmark, located at 50 West 13th Street. This followed a four-year long campaign led by Village Preservation for landmark designation that first uncovered the extensive history of this site and its connections to the abolitionist […]

              Becoming Fifth Avenue: The Brevoorts

              “Becoming Fifth Avenue” is a series of posts in celebration of the bicentennial of the avenue, which was first laid out in 1824. The first segment, in Greenwich Village between Washington Square North and 13th Street, officially opened on November 1st of that year. To celebrate Fifth Avenue’s 200th Anniversary, Village Preservation has launched an interactive […]

              From Stroll to Spectacle: The Evolution of the Village Halloween Parade

              It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s flying puppets on Sixth Avenue? The beloved Village Halloween Parade is an annual, time-honored tradition known for its avant-garde costumes, floats, and street performances. And while these days the longtime New York ritual looms large as the biggest Halloween parade in the world, with over 50,000 participants and […]

                Observing History through the Lens of Women Photographers: Part 3

                This is the third in a multi-part series. Women photographers have played a pivotal role in shaping the visual narrative of our neighborhoods, as evident in Village Preservation’s historic image archive. The majority of the collections in our historic image archive were taken and/or donated by women. Their unique perspectives and contributions have captured the essence of […]

                Streaming Through History: Village Preservation’s YouTube Channel is a Reel Treasure!

                The Village Preservation YouTube channel is an outstanding resource for those interested in the history, culture, and architectural heritage of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. With a wide range of content that is both free and accessible to all, the channel serves as an educational treasure trove, especially for teachers and anyone who […]

                The Movers and Shakers of Westbeth – Dance Artists Who Have Called the Building Home

                On October 25, 2011, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission landmarked Westbeth Artists Housing, located on the block bounded by West, Bethune (hence the name “Westbeth”), Washington, and Bank Streets — a designation proposed and fought for by Village Preservation, and one of more than 1,250 buildings for which Village Preservation has secured landmark designation. Westbeth […]

                  Welcome to the Neighborhood: Sullaluna, 41 Carmine Street

                  Today we welcome a new small business to our neighborhoods — help us welcome the next. Tell us which new independent store in Greenwich Village, the East Village, or NoHo you’re excited about by emailing us at info@villagepreservation.org. As advocates for local small business, we find great satisfaction in hearing of new independent establishments opening […]

                  Archtober Stretches Beyond the Village and Back

                  October is known for the autumnal changing of the leaves, Halloween, and of course Archtober, the month-long celebration of all things architecture across the five boroughs. Village Preservation, an event sponsor, highlights noteworthy historic buildings in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo, as well as some of our city’s great landmarks that have some […]

                    Cast Iron Architecture, South of Union Square Part II

                    The neighborhood South of Union Square is one of New York City’s great centers of cast iron architecture. This area includes some of the city’s earliest surviving fully cast-iron buildings, as well as predominantly masonry buildings with distinctive and elaborate cast iron ground floors or ornament. Our South Of Union Square Cast Iron Tour includes […]

                      Arshile Gorky: A Bridge to Abstract Expressionism

                      Arshile Gorky, an influential figure in the earliest inception of the Abstract Expressionist movement, is celebrated for a unique style that merges surrealism with a profound emotional depth. One of the most transformative periods in his life unfolded in Greenwich Village during the 1930s and 1940s. The neighborhood, with its vibrant artistic scene and diverse […]

                      From Wilde to Baldwin: The Literary Tapestry of Greenwich Village

                      Oscar Wilde (October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900) was a playwright and poet, a native Irishman turned British transplant, and, of course, a maverick and icon whose work and legacy continues to light the way for the LGBTQ+ community. Known for works like The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest, Wilde had […]

                        Gothic Glimpses in Greenwich Village

                        Gothic architecture originated in Europe in the 12th century. As engineering developments allowed for the construction of significantly larger buildings, the pointed (Gothic) arch rose to prominence and was used to construct tall ceilings while still allowing for natural light to enter interior spaces. In New York City, most examples of Gothic architecture are from the […]

                        Business of the Month: Garber Hardware, 710 Greenwich 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. Very few families can credibly claim to have […]

                        Cast & Curious: Cast Iron Architecture, South of Union Square Part I

                        The area south of Union Square is one of New York’s great centers of cast iron architecture. This neighborhood includes some of the city’s earliest surviving fully cast-iron buildings as well as predominantly masonry buildings with distinctive and elaborate cast iron ground floors or ornament. Our South Of Union Square Cast Iron Tour includes 32 […]

                          East Village Building Blocks: Historic Food Sites in Little Ukraine

                          While less than a square mile in size, the East Village has a rich immigrant history more varied than entire cities many times its size. The neighborhood has been home to many ethnic groups, prominently among them Ukrainians. The center of that community, largely located in the blocks of the East Village east of Avenue […]

                            Greenwich Village Authors on Autumn

                            “O hushed October morning mild,Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild,Should waste them all.” — Excerpt from the poem “A Boy’s Will” by Robert Frost, who lived at 107 Waverly Place. So many incredible, diverse literary icons have lived in Greenwich Village, drawing inspiration from their surroundings. Village Preservation’s “Homes and […]

                            The Poets & Activists of Loisaida

                            Loisaida is a robust and varied community that includes creatives, activists, and mavericks who cultivated a richly diverse neighborhood. It’s also the subject of one of the many ‘guided tours’ on our East Village Building Blocks website, which contains information on every building in the East Village. We’re taking a look at some key sites […]

                              Observing History through the Lens of Women Photographers: Carole Teller

                              This is the second in a multi-part series Photography has long been a powerful medium for documenting history, shaping narratives, and preserving memory. Women photographers have played a crucial role in capturing the spirit of our neighborhoods. Through the lens of their cameras, these women documented the evolution of our urban spaces, cultural movements, and […]

                              Villager Philippe Petit Brought Magic to the Twin Towers

                              French highwire artist and street performer Philippe Petit rose to prominence following a series of unauthorized tight-rope walks across some of the world’s most iconic landmarks. First, in 1971, Petit tight-roped between the towers of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. In 1973, he crossed the Sydney Harbor Bridge, in Sydney, Australia. And perhaps most […]

                              Bleecker Street Highlights from the Susan De Vries Collections

                              In 1995, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) asked Village Preservation (then known as the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation) to conduct a photo survey of Federal-era buildings of Lower Manhattan based on a list they provided. The survey ended up being a sprawling project that extended well beyond the original scope of what the LPC […]

                                Shorelines of History: Preserving Greenwich Village’s Waterfront

                                From New Amsterdam to New York City, the shores of Manhattan and the surrounding harbor — one of the best natural harbors in the world — connected a fledgling colonial port to a global economy. As our great cosmopolitan metropolis grew through the nineteenth century, it remained a maritime city, becoming the world’s busiest port […]

                                Little Histories Add to Big Picture South of Union Square

                                In 2018, Village Preservation launched its campaign to designate South of Union Square a historic district, and protect an architecturally rich neighborhood alive with New York and national history that was (and remains) endangered by ongoing development plans. The area roughly between Third and Fifth Avenues from 9th to 14th Streets played a key role […]

                                Welcome Aboard, Lily Gold

                                Today we welcome aboard our new Development Associate, Lily Gold. Lily is eager to join Village Preservation’s mission of supporting the cultural, historic, and social institutions that have made Greenwich Village a lasting and living landmark. Lily comes from the small Westchester County hamlet of South Salem, about an hour and a half north of […]

                                Exploring Federal Era Rowhouses in the Susan De Vries Collection

                                The latest addition to our historic image archive, the Susan De Vries — Federal Rowhouses in Lower Manhattan and Architecture Collection Part II, features roughly 350 images taken by Susan De Vries throughout Lower Manhattan in 1995. Susan De Vries is a historian, researcher and photographer who has been active in the preservation field for […]

                                Unusual and Unexpected NYC Landmarks

                                Village Preservation recently published a report analyzing NYC landmark designations from 1965 to the present. In this first-of-its-kind intensive study of all 38,000 properties landmarked in New York City since the establishment of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, VP’s Executive Director Andrew Berman analyzed trends by mayoral administration – read the full report here. In […]

                                  The Feast of San Gennaro — A Legacy of Early 20th-Century Neapolitan Immigrants

                                  Every September in NYC’s Little Italy, thousands flock to the neighborhood for a multi-day celebration of Italian-American culture. The Feast of San Gennaro, named after Saint Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples, has been a staple tradition for the city’s Italian-American community for nearly 100 years. What began in 1926 as a one-day block party […]

                                  143-145 Avenue D: Banking, Biscuits, Boat Basins, and More

                                  Village Preservation previously conducted extensive research on the history of one particularly peculiar East Village Building, 143-145 Avenue D. This research culminated in a five-part blog series which was eventually used as part of the buildings entry on our East Village Building Block Resource. We were recently reminded of this building’s fascinating history following the […]

                                  Annual Report Details Village Preservation’s Growth, Challenges, and Progress

                                  Village Preservation has released its 2023–24 annual report, a colorful and comprehensive 24-page document that shows how the past year has been one of immense growth, chal­lenges, and progress for our organization. “While we face multiplying challenges to our preservation efforts on a growing number of fronts,” wrote Trevor Stewart, president of Village Preservation, “we […]

                                    Remembering September 11th through Images

                                    Our Historic Image Archive highlights the history of the people and built environment of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo, and New York City in general. Today we explore three of our nine collections that highlight the World Trade Center, the tragic events of 9/11, and the days and months that followed. 9/11 Tiles […]

                                      The Fascinating Maritime Architecture of Mr. Boring

                                      William Alciphron Boring was a prominent architect whose work played a significant role in shaping the architectural landscape of New York City, especially in areas tied to the immigrant experience and maritime life. Born on September 9, 1859, he was known for his design of key structures like the Ellis Island Immigration Station and what […]

                                      Red Shadow: Secrets, Spies, and Greenwich Village at the Start of the Cold War

                                      Greenwich Village, known for its bohemian atmosphere, artistic communities, and rich history, was also a quiet epicenter of Cold War espionage. In the mid-20th century, amid the colorful cafes and intellectual debates that made Greenwich Village world-renowned, a darker narrative unfolded — one of Soviet spies operating in the heart of New York City. Alleged […]

                                      NoHo’s Grand Cast Iron-Fronted Buildings

                                      The cast iron buildings of the NoHo Historic District tell a tale of industry and innovation during a pivotal phase of the neighborhood’s and New York’s development. As the Landmarks Preservation Commission designation report notes, “the NoHo Historic District features many distinguished cast-iron-fronted buildings built between 1858 and 1888.” The report goes on to explain […]

                                      Public Art in Our Historic Image Archive

                                      Our Historic Image Archive includes thousands of photos documenting New York City neighborhoods, people, and buildings. Public art is important part of our streetscapes, and can be found throughout our Historic Image Archive. One of NYC’s most well-known and beloved sculptures is “the Alamo” on Astor Place. Installed as a temporary exhibit in 1967, the […]

                                        Suffrage’s Legacy in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and Noho

                                        On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, forever changing the course of American history by prohibiting voting discrimination based on gender. This monumental achievement wasn’t officially certified until August 26th, when U.S. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby signed the proclamation. That’s why every year on August 26th, we celebrate National Women’s Equality Day, […]

                                        Welcome to the Neighborhood: Baker Falls, 101 Avenue A

                                        Today we welcome a new small business to our neighborhoods — help us welcome the next. Tell us which new independent store in Greenwich Village, the East Village, or NoHo you’re excited about by emailing us at info@villagepreservation.org. As advocates for local small business, we find great satisfaction in hearing of new independent establishments opening […]

                                        Get Lost in History: Creating Self-Guided Neighborhood Walking Tours with Maps

                                        Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo, with their charming streets, historic landmarks, and vibrant culture, are neighborhoods that beg to be explored on foot. Whether you’re a seasoned New Yorker or a curious visitor, there’s no better way to soak in these incredible neighborhoods’ rich history and artistic energy than by taking a walking […]

                                        Looking Back at the West Village Waterfront

                                        The photographs of the West Village waterfront in our Historic Image Archive remind us just how dramatic a transformation that area has undergone over the past several decades. Photographer James Cuebas, a Lower East Side native, captured on film the Hudson River piers in Greenwich Village in the late 1970s and 1980s. His photographs in […]

                                        Hettie Jones (1934-2024): A Creative Force in Cooper Square

                                        East Village resident Hettie Jones — beloved writer and poet, committed activist for social justice and preservation, and recipient of Village Preservation’s Village Award in 2019 — passed away on August 13, 2024, at the age of 90. Born in Brooklyn on June 15, 1934, Jones wrote more than 20 books over her long career, […]