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 […]
This is the first in a three-part series Photography has long been a powerful medium for documenting history, shaping narratives, and preserving the fabric of our communities. 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
50 West 13th Street, a rare surviving example of the Greek Revival style in the northern end of Greenwich Village, is deserving of recognition and protection as a New York City individual landmark for many reasons, both architectural and cultural. From 1858 to 1884, the building was the residence of Jacob Day, one of 19th […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
It’s no surprise that one of New York City’s beloved cultural platforms, the Minetta Lane Theatre, is situated in the heart of the South Village, an area which Village Preservation got landmarked in 2013. Though it may not carry the instant recognition of Broadway’s grand stages, the Minetta Lane holds a unique place in the […]
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. Whether your thing is bed bugs or butterflies, […]
Unsurprisingly, schools in neighborhoods that are over two centuries old have changed a lot over the years. Quite a few of the buildings that serve as schools today are relatively new additions to our neighborhoods, while older school buildings have been repurposed for new uses and lives as their utility for their original purpose may […]
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 […]
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 […]
Storefronts, and the businesses that occupy them, are some of the most iconic fixtures in New York City’s streetscape. Our neighborhoods are no different, as local businesses have long been some of the most defining community fixtures. So much so that many images within our historic image archive capture these businesses. In order to make […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
James Lenox was born in New York City on August 19, 1800 to Robert and Rachel Lenox. Robert had immigrated to the United States from Scotland during the Revolutionary War, and went on to become one of the most successful real estate developers and investors in New York City. When Robert died in 1839, James […]
On August 16, 1974, a young, four-man rock group took the stage at a dingy East Village bar. Unbeknownst to those attending, this event would become legendary in the punk and music scenes, so much so that momentous occassion would be celebrated decades later. This is, of course, The Ramone’s first performance at the legendary […]
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 the pioneering sci-fi classic Forbidden Planet, Commander […]
The year 1973 marks a significant chapter in New York City’s architectural and cultural history. On August 14th of that year, the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District was officially designated as a historic district by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). The district was subsequently listed on the National Register of Historic Places and […]
If we had to pick just one type of building to represent our neighborhoods, the top contender would almost undoubtedly be the row house. A ubiquitous feature of 19th-century urban streetscapes, many of these homes are happily still present throughout New York City (particularly in Manhattan and Brooklyn), and are plentiful in number in our […]
The Agnes Balcer Collection of our 4,700 piece (and growing!) historic image archive is one of our smallest collections, but the photos it contains have an outsize story to tell relating to the family that donated them and Greenwich Village history. Agnes Balcer was from Bemidji, Minnesota, and worked as an executive secretary in Washington, D.C. […]
The public bath house was a fixture of late 19th and early 20th century New York City life. These grand municipal buildings served several important purposes for New Yorkers, especially those residing in tight quarters in overcrowded tenement buildings, where running water was often not an option and certainly not a guarantee. The City set […]
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 […]
On August 7, 1994, drag queens took the stage at Boy Bar (15 St. Marks Place) to partake in a show titled “It’s a Mod Mod World”. Through the Jillian Jonas collection in our historic image archive, we can see the rarely told histories of this iconic space and its contemporary, The Pyramid Club (101 […]
The Tony Dapolito Recreation Center has a long history of serving the surrounding community, visitors from other parts of New York City, and in some cases, the world. The rec center was constructed in several phases, first opening in 1908 as the Carmine Street Baths. The original structure and was designed by the firm of […]
Every neighborhood has a place where people go to express their discontent. For the East Village, that place is undoubtedly Tompkins Square Park. Ever since its founding in 1834, the park has hosted community meetings, protests, and several infamous riots. The most recent one broke out on August 6, 1988, between the NYPD and a […]
Many of the questions we keep encountering about the ambitious city-wide upzoning proposal called City of Yes for Housing Opportunity stem from a basic misunderstanding. Most people take “City of Yes” to be plain English, when, in fact, it’s government-speak for “City of No political will to meaningfully address the need for affordable housing.” In […]
The churches of Harlem have long served as essential institutions in the neighborhood, shaping not only the spiritual lives of residents, but also the bonds that strengthen community. Many great churches, including Mother A.M.E. Zion Church, the Abyssinian Baptist Church, and St. James Presbyterian Church established their present-day homes in Upper Manhattan in the 1920s. […]
In June 1969, a police raid on the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village was met with a resistance that launched the modern Gay Liberation Movement. Following decades of mostly discreet and targeted gay rights activism led by the Mattachine Society, the events set forth at Stonewall launched the movement into the popular consciousness. There was no […]
If you were to walk down East 4th Street in the late 1970s, you might come across an ethereal, white-faced character in a flamboyant costume, a spectacle among spectacles. Klaus Nomi (January 24, 1944 – August 6, 1983), a striking and enterprising countertenor, made his mark on experimental music and performance amidst countless other countercultural […]
When the sweltering summer heat calls for a sweet and refreshing treat, nothing beats a scoop (or two) of ice cream. Our neighborhoods are a haven for ice cream lovers, with each neighborhood offering its own unique flavors and experiences. Today we’re exploring some of the best spots to satisfy your ice cream cravings in […]
New York City summers are not easy. The heat, the humidity, and, of course, the smells. Put this together with street traffic and delayed subways, and it’s enough to make anyone dread traveling around the city during the its steamy season. But for all the problems we have with today’s mass transit system, especially this […]
In the 1960’s, 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”. With a rich tradition of hosting musicians, painters, poets, and performers […]
The City of Yes zoning text amendment proposal continues its reckless march through the public review process, improbably announcing “next stop: housing affordability,” but really inspiring zero confidence about where the hell it’s taking us. Part 1 of this series refuted the claim that we are confronting a generalized housing crisis and answered questions about […]
The area which makes up present day NoHo began to urbanize between the 1820s and 1840s, as Greek Revival and Federal style houses built for many of Manhattan’s most successful businesspeople began to emerge here. These homes, which lined the streets around Broadway between Houston Street and Astor Place, like Bond and Great Jones Streets, […]
Three of the earliest sites connected to our nation’s long disability rights movement are situated within a few short blocks of each other in the East Village. Beginning in 1863, an unassuming row house on 2nd Avenue between East 5th and 6th Streets was the location of the Hospital for the Relief of the Ruptured […]
Greenwich Village resident Vincent Livelli was a music and dance director who helped helped revolutionize the cruise ship industry. He was born on April 10, 1919 and died at age 104 on June 21st, 2024. Born in Brooklyn to Sicilian and Genovese immigrant parents, Livelli moved to Greenwich Village at three months old where he […]
The growth of the Italian-American community in the South Village in the late 19th and early 20th centuries can often be traced through the rise of Italian restaurants in the neighborhood and their acceptance with a wider audience beyond its borders. One of the leading restaurant owners of that period, from its earliest days through […]
What does it take to hold onto property in Greenwich Village? For the Hess family, a surveying mistake and a subway expansion turned their land into the tiniest piece of private property in existence in New York City — so tiny that the City of New York thought that the family wouldn’t care to assert […]
Historic neighborhoods are great settings that make for striking film locations. Such is the case for our neighborhoods, which have long been the stage for television and movie productions. So much so, that several images of movie productions within our neighborhoods have made their way into our Historic Image Archive. In order to facilitate the […]
Every year, National Independent Retailers Week brings communities together to celebrate the unique and vibrant independent businesses that form the backbone of our neighborhoods. One of the most cherished aspects of independent retailers is the sense of community they foster. Unlike impersonal chain stores, local businesses often become gathering places where neighbors meet, friendships are […]
Dorothy Lichtenstein, wife of groundbreaking American artist Roy Lichtenstein, was a proud patron and philanthropist of the arts and friend of Village Preservation. She was born on October 26, 1939, and died at age 84 on July 4th, 2024. Brooklyn-born Dorothy Herzka grew up in Crown Heights and attended Midwood High School. After college, she […]
Today, we welcome Hannah Berry (pronouns: she/they) to the Village Preservation team as our new Arthur A. Levin Program Associate. Hannah previously worked as an intern for Village Preservation, assisting with numerous research and programming projects. During her time as intern, Hannah contributed to research and development of a (forthcoming) map on NYC’s jazz history, promoted […]
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 bicycle has been found to be more […]
It’s sometimes almost incredible to think about the sheer volume of artistic talent that has been located in our neighborhoods of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. It’s perhaps even more overwhelming when multiple artists were present within one building over the span of just a few short years. Such was the case at […]
Fitz-Greene Halleck, a 19th-century American poet, is best known for his witty and satirical verse. His connection to Greenwich Village is an intriguing aspect of his life, highlighting the cultural vibrancy of the area during his time. However, while he was once known widely as the American Byron in his lifetime, today he is a […]
Greenwich Village, known for its rich artistic heritage, has long been a haven for writers, musicians, and creative innovators of all stripes. Among the notable figures who have forged a life and a career here is Israel Horovitz (March 31, 1939 — November 9, 2020), a prolific playwright, screenwriter, and director whose time in Greenwich […]
In the 1970s and 80s, the Hudson River piers of Greenwich Village contained a multitude of abandoned structures. The once-bustling commercial waterfront had gone almost entirely dark, leaving countless piers to fall into disrepair. Artist and activist Gordon Matta-Clark (1943-1978) saw the potential in these structures to make a statement, forcing the city to reckon […]
In late June, 2024, we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the NoHo Historic District, which was designated by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission on June 29th, 1999. The district includes nearly 130 buildings that were constructed between the 1830s and the 1910s. These buildings represent various phases of development, with the neighborhood beginning […]
After years of effort by Village Preservation, the historic No. 50 West 13th Street is now on the path to NYC landmark designation. The Greek Revival row house between Fifth and Sixth Avenues has several different histories worthy of note: leading 19th-century Black businessman and abolitionist Jacob Day ran his business here and owned the […]
The NoHo Historic District was designated by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission on June 29th, 1999. Within its bounds are buildings significant for their innovation in architecture, like some of the city’s oldest cast iron structures, early instances of adaptive reuse, and even one of its first skyscrapers, and for their layers of cultural heritage, […]
It is the first National Monument designated to mark LGBTQIA+ history. President Obama designated the Stonewall National Monument on June 24, 2016, becoming official on June 27, 2016. The road to designation was a long one. In the 1990s Village Preservation, then known as Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP), along with the now-defunct […]
You often hear it said that every building tells a story. This insight sounds reasonable enough. But if you don’t know what the story is, you’ll find yourself standing in front of a taciturn building wondering what you’re looking at. This would be a shame, particularly in a neighborhood like the East Village, where so […]
The 13th Street Repertory Theatre at 50 West 13th Street once stood as a monument to New York City’s rich theatrical history and a testament to the enduring power of grassroots theater. For decades, this unassuming venue was a cradle of creativity, fostering countless artists and showcasing countless productions that have left an indelible mark […]
Have you heard the exciting news? Village Preservation has released a special edition Greenwich Village building set made of genuine LEGO bricks! Composed of 449 pieces, the incredible miniature display depicts some of the most emblematic landmarks of the Village, from the Jefferson Market Library, to Stonewall, to the Washington Square Arch and Fountain, plus […]
The persistence of ideas offers no guarantees of their soundness. Take, for instance, the recurring belief that the answer to the housing question lies in less regulation. Deregulated housing markets have had a long and colorful history, but not one typically associated with an abundance of sound affordable housing for the working poor. On the […]
When the forecast is hot and sunny, what could be better than to head to one of the incredible green spaces in our neighborhoods to enjoy the simple pleasures in life: good food, great company, and the unparalleled beauty of the parks and community gardens of Greenwich Village and the East Village. Every year, on […]
On January 1st, 1863 the Emancipation proclamation went into effect, and all enslaved people in Confederate States were declared legally free. News of this was spread through plantations across the Confederacy by Union Soldiers, many of whom were Black. These soldiers read aloud small copies of the emancipation proclamation, informing enslaved people of their freedom. […]
Every June, New Yorkers and people from around the world gather in our city to celebrate Pride Month and honor the memory of the Stonewall Riots, three nights in 1969 that helped launch the modern fight for LGBTQ+ rights. And while the Stonewall Inn at 53 Christopher Street is indeed a landmark of that movement […]
The Women’s House of Detention, which once stood where we can now enjoy the beautiful Jefferson Market Garden, was more than just a prison. Opened in 1932, the Art Deco-style building was a prominent, though controversial, landmark in the area for nearly four decades. It was the only women’s prison in Manhattan, housing inmates ranging […]
Village Preservation has been diligently documenting the rich history of visual artists who lived and worked within our proposed South of Union Square Historic District. Many of the globally significant artistic groups and institutions of the 19th and 20th centuries were formed there, and it’s where the New York School of artists and American Abstract […]
Once burning much of New York City’s refuse, the Gansevoort Destructor Plant was a looming fixture of the skyline along the Hudson River. John T. Krawchuk photographed the plant, which has since been demolished, in the 1990s as part of his masters thesis, On The Edge: the West Village Waterfront. The plant appears in the […]
Each year Village Preservation proudly honors about six remarkable people, organizations, businesses, and restorations at Village Preservation’s Annual Meeting and Village Awards. We’ve been doing so since June 10, 1991, when we held our very first Village Awards. That year the awardees were Anglers & Writers Café; Paul Egita; First Presbyterian Church Restoration; Jefferson Market […]
One of the many benefits of preserving buildings is it provides access and connection to the valuable pieces of human history connected to them. A prime example of this is 647 Broadway, which in addition to being an architecturally significant building in the NoHo Historic District, played an important role in LGBTQ+ history during two […]
Village Preservation is very proud to honor the Sixth Street Community Center as a 2024 Village Awardee! Join us in recognizing Sixth Street and five other remarkable awardees at Village Preservation’s Annual Meeting and Village Awards on Wednesday, June 12th at the historic Great Hall at Cooper Union. The awards ceremony will be emceed by […]
