Women have been constant change makers throughout history and around the world, and that of course includes right here in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. Village Preservation has sought to capture their legacies and tell their stories through our long-standing series of oral histories. In honor of Women’s History Month, we take a […]
On February 20, 1883, a fire broke out at the school affiliated with the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer. Located on East 4th Street between Avenues A and B, the Romanesque Revival-style Catholic school building was erected directly behind the main sanctuary in 1851-52. By the early 1880s, more than 900 children had enrolled, […]
Whether you’re a local, live nearby, or are just passing through, Village Preservation’s annual House Tour Benefit is not one to miss. For 24 years and counting, some of our community’s most beautiful and unique homes have opened their doors and allowed us (and you!) inside for a look at exquisite interiors, meticulous restorations, unparalleled […]
For decades, Village Preservation has been advocating for the landmark designation of buildings in our neighborhoods significant not only for their architectural merit, but for the many important layers of cultural heritage present at these sites. We’ve had some great successes, and achieved landmark status for places including: Yet landmarking buildings for their cultural significance […]
Every neighborhood has its own unique story, a tapestry woven from the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of its residents. These stories are often passed down from one generation to the next, shaping the very identity of the place. In a world where rapid urbanization, technological advancements, and cultural shifts often leave little room for reflection, […]
Our neighborhoods have long thrived on an electric, eclectic energy that fuels creativity, rebellion, and cultural ferment. Amid the many powerful forces shaping the area’s nightlife history, women are among the pivotal yet often overlooked figures — transforming not only the local scene but the wider social and political landscape. These women were not just […]
Countless women have made important contributions to the arts in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. Many have made direct contributions of their art to Village Preservation’s Historic Image Archive, documenting decades of architectural and cultural history. These women were not just artists or photographers, but often advocates or architects, and served in many […]
Jones Street runs one short block from Bleecker Street to West 4th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. It may be best known as the setting for the iconic cover of Bob Dylan’s even more iconic 1963 breakthrough album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. While Dylan and then-girlfriend Suze Rotolo were turning Jones Street into a […]
Like architecture, literature, and art, fashion is yet another entryway into the past. To understand what we once wore is to embody what we once believed, cared for, and prioritized. For example, the loose fitting smock-styled tunics and silhouettes of the 1920s signify a direct rebellion from more restrictive Victorian era clothing like corsets and […]
“If everyone went to balls and did less drugs, the world would be fun, wouldn’t it?” -Dorian Corey “Some of them say that we’re sick, we’re crazy. And some of them think that we are the most gorgeous, special things on Earth.” -Venus Xtravaganza A seminal work in the history of NYC’s queer and trans […]
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. Great bars come in two varieties: the specialized […]
Co-named streets abound in our communities. Today we look at more local honorees: Edie Windsor and Thea Spyer, Dave Van Ronk, and Ellen Stewart.
Countless women have made important contributions to the arts in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. Many have made direct contributions of their art to Village Preservation’s Historic Image Archive, documenting decades of architectural and cultural history. These women were not just artists or photographers, but often advocates or architects, and served in many […]
Each year, Village Preservation celebrates the individuals, organizations, and businesses that have made a significant positive impact on Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo with our Village Awards. Since 1980, Village Preservation has worked tirelessly to protect and promote the architectural and cultural heritage of our historic communities. The Village Awards, an annual tradition, […]
Countless women have made important contributions to the arts in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. Many have made direct contributions of their art to Village Preservation’s Historic Image Archive, documenting decades of architectural and cultural history. Today we explore some of the earliest contributions to our archive. These women were not just artists […]
Emily Post, one of America’s most influential figures in the field of etiquette, lived a life that combined a deep understanding of social protocol with the pulse of New York City’s energetic, ever-changing culture. Though most famous for her book Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home (1922), her personal life and […]
Our blog series “Hidden in Plain Sight” highlights the many architectural curiosities and unique features found on buildings throughout our neighborhoods — details you might not notice on first pass, but if you’re paying attention, they tell easily overlooked and often forgotten stories. In late 2024, a loss that we knew was imminent arrived: the […]
Our Historic Images from Landmarks Applications collection is one of the most extensive in our historic image archive. It is regularly updated with additional historic images that are included in local Certificate of Appropriateness applications to the Landmarks Preservation Commission. These provide invaluable documentation of our neighborhoods, and the newest batch includes a number of images of buildings […]
In the beginning, Manhattan real estate was cheap. Dirt cheap. And this gave anyone the opportunity to shape its future. Charles Fitzgerald seized that opportunity and helped turn St Mark’s Place into the corridor we know today. The following account is based on Charles’ recollections of his life and work on this block. He came to […]
If you were a traveler from, say, Illinois spending a day in New York City, what would you choose to do? You almost certainly would not have had as successful a day as prairie lawyer and one-term congressman Abraham Lincoln, who, on February 27, 1860, was able to change his country-bumpkin image, become a leading […]
For most of their history, Greenwich Village, the East Village, and the Lower East Side have had an intimately interconnected life and history. These parts of New York have been crossroads and hotbeds of cultural and intellectual innovation. The East River and Hudson River waterfronts have linked these neighborhoods to global networks of trade and […]
See part one of our “Past Village Awardees” series here One of Village Preservation’s most beloved traditions is our Annual Meeting and Village Awards, in which we celebrate our achievements of the past year, and honor invaluable local leaders, institutions, businesses, places, and organizations in our neighborhoods. Fondly referred to as the “Oscars of the […]
Sylvia Rivera (July 2, 1951 – February 19, 2002) was a fighter. Rivera (she/her) was an LGBTQ+ activist, a trans woman, and fixture in Greenwich Village and the East Village, and perhaps most prominently, a champion for those who did not adhere to the gender binary. Within the gay rights movement, Rivera advocated for those […]
Malcolm X was a leading Black Muslim minister known for his militant approach to the Civil Rights movement. While one might not immediately associate him with Greenwich Village, some pivotal events in the neighborhood were instrumental in shaping his legacy. Born on May 19, 1925, Malcolm Little joined the Nation of Islam in prison following […]
Stonewall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 21, 1999, following a nomination process that included Village Preservation (then known as the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation) and the now-defunct Organization of Lesbian and Gay Architects and Designers. The following year, the site, which comprises the Stonewall Inn, the adjacent […]
The Holland Plaza Building is a unique, large manufacturing building that occupies an entire, irregularly shaped block, bound by Canal, Watts, and Varick Streets. The building, also called One Hudson Square, helps tell the story of its neighborhood fittingly called Hudson Square. Hudson Square is situated between Tribeca, the West Village and SoHo. For much […]
On October 30, 1969, history was made in Greenwich Village when artists Patricia Grey and Nigel Jackson opened Acts of Art, the first black-owned gallery in downtown Manhattan at 31 Bedford Street. Once a humble butcher shop in a tenement home, this small West Village storefront evolved into a powerful symbol of the Civil Rights […]
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. The name of their tomato sauce is “This […]
February is Black History Month, the annual celebration of the heritage and culture of African Americans, and a time to recognize the many contributions and sacrifices that helped shape our city and the nation. At Village Preservation, we are committed to recognizing and furthering that legacy as we strive to protect historic structures in Greenwich […]
One of Village Preservation’s most beloved traditions is our Annual Meeting and Village Awards, in which we celebrate our achievements of the past year, and honor invaluable local leaders, institutions, businesses, places, and organizations in our neighborhoods. Fondly referred to as the “Oscars of the Village,” these awards showcase the remarkable people and places that […]
The West Village is home to more than just gorgeous historic architecture, charming cobblestone streets, delicious restaurants, and delightful cafes. It’s also the stomping grounds for some seriously famous dogs. From the playful pups who bring smiles to their neighbors’ faces, to the four-legged stars making waves on the national stage, the dogs of the […]
Evelyn G. Haynes (1909–2001) was a dedicated preservationist and early member of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Her family donated a collection of her records to Village Preservation, which are now available on our website. We recently reorganized the second part of her collection. This part includes information on the designation of the […]
Stretching just two short blocks between 9th and 10th Avenues (with Washington Street in between), Little West 12th Street is a unique street situated within the Meatpacking District, on the northern edge of Greenwich Village. Diminutive in name and extent, Little West 12th Street represents a big story about the development of this part of […]
Tom Fox’s photos from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s reveal a time when the Lower West Side waterfront was in a state of neglect, and then, as detailed in his book, “Creating the Hudson River Park,” how it was transformed into the public park we know today. In the 1970s and 80s, Manhattan’s Hudson River […]
Jonathan Larson’s name is forever linked to the East Village neighborhood, where his most iconic work, Rent, takes place and was born. But Larson’s connection to our neighborhoods runs deeper than just the setting of his revolutionary musical. Larson forged his identity as an artist, and found his community in the East Village before his […]
Greenwich Village has long been a hub of creativity, activism, and cultural exchange, and its Black history is deeply woven into the neighborhood’s identity. From the early days of New York City’s African American communities to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond, Black residents have shaped the social, artistic, and political fabric of the Village. […]
Our neighborhoods are world-renowned for serving as home to countless transformative artists and artistic movements over the years. But you don’t have to be invited to an artist’s loft to experience the beauty and inspiration of their work. The public art that abounds in Greenwich Village and the East Village lets us take that imaginative […]
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 […]
Alvin Ailey is one of the most influential figures in the history of Modern Dance. A virtuosic dancer, innovative choreographer, and cultural leader, he used his artistic voice to celebrate, contemplate, and comment on the African American experience. Ailey spent a large part of his career cultivating his New York-based company, the Alvin Ailey American […]
Evelyn G. Haynes (1909–2001) was a dedicated preservationist and a member of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission during its earliest days. Following her passing, her family donated a collection of her records to Village Preservation. We have now reorganized and digitized Part 1 of the collection, which can be seen here. The archive contains many hand-drawn […]
A half block north Perry Street, on Hudson Street in the heart of Greenwich Village, sits a rather plain, mid-19th century brick townhouse with large white-paned windows. This perhaps otherwise unremarkable looking building offered Jane Jacobs a front-row seat to a perpetual performance of what she called the New York City street ballet, her observations […]
On January 24, 1961, a young Bob Dylan arrived in New York City with nothing but a guitar, a few songs, and big dreams of making it in the world of music. His destination was the Village — specifically the South Village and Greenwich Village neighborhoods, which would become the setting for his artistic metamorphosis. […]
Handwriting may be a bit of a lost art these days. But handwritten records remain hugely important when conducting historical research. The vast majority of extant original houses in New York City were built in the 1800s, and all of the initial information about these buildings was documented by hand. Even after the typewriter became […]
The oldest parts of the New York City subway system are well over a century old, having opened on October 27th, 1904. The subway’s age creates a myriad of challenges for operation, but also provides us with a valuable historic resource. Subway stations have details that offer a glimpse into our past, and a number […]
On January 21, 1955, the literary world was introduced to one of its most unforgettable characters: Auntie Mame. Patrick Dennis’s rollicking novel, Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade, became an instant bestseller, enchanting readers with its outrageous humor, sparkling wit, and heartfelt message about embracing life’s adventures with open arms. Auntie Mame Dennis is the flamboyant, […]
The release of the biopic A Complete Unknown a few weeks ago has sparked renewed interest in the life, local history, and work of music icon Bob Dylan. And while filmmakers substituted the currently more sedate streets of Jersey City and Hoboken for Dylan’s actual neighborhood in the 1960s, you can instead walk the actual […]
There was a time when the warm glow of neon signs scattered our neighborhood with abundance. Beckoning to passersby, these cheerful emblems promoted all sorts of businesses, from music venues to pharmacies to bars and restaurants. These days, the number of buildings sporting neon has dwindled significantly. Some businesses have shut down, and others have […]
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 your plans for the year ahead involve […]
Enacted into law in October 1919, the Volstead Act took effect January 16, 1920, enforcing the then-newly established 18th Amendment and thereby prohibiting the manufacture and distribution of alcoholic beverages. Now known as Prohibition, this era of federally-mandated teetotalism lasted thirteen years, only to be repealed in 1933 by the ratification of the 21st Amendment, […]
Karen Cooper spent fifty-one years involved with the Film Forum, leading its growth from a one- projector screening space on the Upper West Side to its iconic four-screen institution on West Houston Street. In late, 2024, we released an oral history with Karen. Highlights of the interview include her memories of each of Film Forum’s […]
Have you ever considered that among Manhattan’s central avenues, Fifth Avenue is the only one without a dedicated subway line? There’s the A/C/E for 8th Avenue, 1/2/3 for 7th, B/D/F/M for 6th, and 4/5/6 for 4th/Park Ave… so what happened to Fifth Avenue, certainly as prominent a thoroughfare as all the rest? As a native […]
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney was an iconoclast in every sense of the word — an heir to one of America’s greatest fortunes who defied the expectations of her social class to become one of the most important patrons and creators in the American art world. Born into opulence and wealth on January 9, 1875, Gertrude might […]
In November, 2024, Village Preservation released a report detailing the extensive artistic history of the area South of Union Square. Part of our ongoing campaign to designate this area as a historic district, we have also been working to gather letters of support from individuals and institutions with ties to these artists. We ended up […]
The new year brings with it plenty of fresh opportunities to explore and enjoy. For Village Preservation, that includes the latest issue of our semi-annual newsletter, jam-packed with new content, and a brand new design for our longstanding publication. Within the space of 20 pages, the Winter 2025 newsletter gives readers the chance to explore […]
Greenwich Village has long been celebrated as a cultural and artistic hub, attracting writers, poets, and thinkers from around the world. Among the luminaries who found inspiration in the Village’s vibrant and unconventional atmosphere was Kahlil Gibran, the Lebanese-American poet, writer, and philosopher best known for his timeless masterpiece, The Prophet. Born on January 6, […]
Carol Greitzer is in so many ways the embodiment of a true New Yorker and Greenwich Villager. Born January 3, 1925, in Manhattan—on 15th Street, in a long-gone hospital—Greitzer grew up in the North Bronx, attended Hunter College after high school, received her master’s degree in English Literature from NYU, and went on to serve […]
Will technology destroy the world or save it? This recurring conundrum has provided fertile ground for speculation; and it was precisely this sort of speculation that once gave rise to a new artistic genre: science fiction. Its roots are diffuse, and its impact pervasive. But we know this much — the story of the development […]
This blog post was originally published on June 16, 2023, and is a favorite of ours from among the more than 200 we publish every year. To stay current on all our posts, follow us on X or Facebook, or subscribe to our blog feed via email here. Imagine over a thousand workers arriving at Penn Station on a […]
This blog post was originally published November 27, 2024, and is one of our favorites among the more than 200 we’ve published over the last year. To stay current on all our posts, follow us on X or Facebook, or subscribe to our blog feed via email here. A rock star, a legend, a genius, Jimi Hendrix was one of […]
With the passing of former President Jimmy Carter on December 29, 2024, we look back on the important role he played for more affordable housing in the 1980s East Village with his first major project for Habitat for Humanity, in this post first published in December 2023. Former president Jimmy Carter and his late wife […]
On August 8, 1848, an Act of Congress played a significant role in shaping the landscape of New York City’s commerce and infrastructure: it granted part of the land to help establishment of the Gansevoort Farmers’ Market and the West Washington Market. This helped lay the groundwork for what would become one of the most vibrant and essential markets in all of New York City.
This blog post was originally published on January 10, 2024, and is one of our favorites among the more than 200 we’ve published over the last year. To stay current on all our posts, follow us on X or Facebook, or subscribe to our blog feed via email here. On January 3rd, 2017, Village Preservation released the first version of […]
The year is 1944, and in a brick row house by a lush Greenwich Village garden lives a “shy little black cat” named Jenny Linsky with her caretaker, the old sailor Captain Tinker. While the particular adventures and fanciful musings of this feline may have come from the creative imagination of author and illustrator Esther Averill, the cat, her owner, and the Village locations where these tales are set were all quite real.
In the 1960s, a group of dancers convened at Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South, to exchange and present ideas. The collective became known as Judson Dance Theater, and through a series of workshops and performances, they redefined what could be considered dance.
The ‘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,” in which Kramer refuses to work […]
In 1858, a retail revolution began at the bustling intersection of 6th Avenue and 14th Street in New York City. Rowland Hussey Macy opened a dry goods store that would eventually become one of the most recognizable names in retail: Macy’s. This unassuming shop was the beginning of a retail empire and cultural legacy that […]
Village Preservation has declared December to be South Village Month! Why, you ask? Well, we kicked off our campaign to seek landmark designation for the entire South Village and its remarkable multilayered architectural and cultural histories in December 2006, achieved landmark designation for the South Village Historic District (which was the second of what ended […]
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. Mindless consumerism may not lead to happiness; but […]
On September 20, 1955, the world of theater witnessed the opening of a stunning revival of The Threepenny Opera, a work by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill that had already cemented its place as one of the 20th century’s most significant and revolutionary musicals. The production, which had originally premiered on August 31, 1928, at […]
Our Historic Images from Landmarks Applications collection is one of the most extensive in our historic image archive. It is regularly updated with additional historic images that are included in local Certificate of Appropriateness applications to the Landmarks Preservation Commission. These provide invaluable documentation of our neighborhoods, and the newest batch includes several images of […]
Dogs have been known as ‘man’s best friend’ for ages. However, no animal has probably done more for, and been more intertwined with, human development than the horse. In realms of farming, warfare, and transportation, the horse has played a critical role in shaping the world we live in today, especially New York and our […]
We’ve all seen them: signs tucked under the official names of local streets, honoring a neighborhood notable with a “Way,” “Place,” or “Corner.” Unfortunately, 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 a way for those who are interested to […]
Christmastime in the city is like no other; rosy cheeks from ice skating at the many outdoor rinks throughout the city, arms overflowing with a festive bounty of gifts and delights for the holiday season, and (if we’re lucky) our beloved streets dusted in glistening snow. And while many think of uptown destinations as home […]
This is one of a series of blog posts which highlights the Village Independent Democrats collection in our Preservation History Archive. Two parts of this collection have been published. Part I, documents the club’s work from 1955-1969, and Part II from 1970-1979. “At age 88, I wake up every morning and say to myself, ‘Well, I’m still in New […]
Eileen Myles (they/them) is many things; An acclaimed poet and novelist. A dog lover. A lesbian and transgender icon. An East Village local. A political commentator. A photographer. A feminist. A neighborhood preservationist. Their multi-faceted contributions to the fabric of New York’s counterculture place them as one of the most influential poets of the city’s […]
In honor of the incredible strides made in preserving the South Village over the past two decades, Village Preservation has named December “South Village Month” in honor of our kicking off and finishing off our ten-year landmarking campaign in the last month of the year. The three historic district designations and half dozen individual landmark […]
The Adams Administration’s proposed City of Yes of Housing Opportunity is the latest attempt by the City to tackle the affordable housing crisis by relaxing zoning controls. The hope is that, if you allow even bigger development, everyone will be able to sit back and watch the market work its magic, producing market rate construction […]
We’ve designated December as South Village Month, and we’ve got good reason to do so! In December 2006, Village Preservation submitted our landmark proposal for the South Village. Two years later, in December 2008, we kicked off the landmarking campaign with a major Town Hall event. The momentum continued, with two of the three South […]
Join us via Zoom Webinar on December 4th for a special evening with landscape architect and historic preservationist John T. Krawchuk, in conversation with Village Preservation’s Andrew Berman and Dena Tasse-Winter, as we explore the West Village waterfront on the brink of radical change and redevelopment in the early 1990s. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. In […]
