What we recognize as landmarks and preserve says a lot about who we are. It tells us what we value, as well as what (by omission) we may prefer to ignore. It also helps shape our future, by defining how we see our past, where we came from, and how we got to where we […]
It’s no secret that we love Greenwich Village around here (along with the East Village and NoHo, of course!). And what’s not to love? The neighborhood is full of architectural beauty, cultural innovation, so many places where history was made… and a whole lot of integrity thanks to its landmark designations and the countless individuals […]
In celebration of Black History Month, and in recognition of the often-overlooked figures in our collective story, today we take a look at the life and work of a few of the incredible Black women who have called our neighborhood home. Whether activists, artists, or teachers, these women’s legacies have impacted the course of history […]
Fred W. McDarrah did not photograph history from a distance. He stood inside it. Shoulder to shoulder with musicians, poets, organizers, and strangers who believed the street could still change the world. His photographs are not nostalgia. They are evidence. McDarrah’s lens followed the pulse of Greenwich Village and the East Village through the 1950s […]
William Kunstler (Born July 7, 1919) was more than just a defense attorney — he was a fierce advocate for civil rights, social justice, and the marginalized. Known for taking on some of the most controversial and groundbreaking legal cases of the 20th century, Kunstler made his home on Gay Street in Greenwich Village, a […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
There’s no better time than Women’s History Month to explore the lives and accomplishments of the many influential women who lived and worked South of Union Square. One of our most recent storymaps will help you discover this rich history found in the neighborhood where Greenwich Village and the East Village meet, one that Village […]
Welcome to February, and African American History Month! Village Preservation has long documented the stories behind the streets, buildings and people of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. Those investigations have enabled us to offer several great resources to learn more about our neighborhoods, including our African American history, including our Civil Rights and […]
It’s hard to believe today, but the currently thriving, electric, prolific Public Theater was once a scrappy, homeless, almost improvisational group of theater makers whose very meager existence was due to the sheer will of a group of young idealists led by an accused (and admitted) Communist sympathizer. But that’s the reality – and the […]
Tension was high on the streets of Manhattan on July 13, 1863. Two days earlier, the federal Conscription Act took effect in New York City, establishing a draft lottery to select new soldiers for the Union Army. As Blacks were not allowed to serve in the military and the wealthy could buy their way out […]
On April 21, Village Preservation joined with the the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project to honor the city’s oldest gay bar and a pioneering event from the early days of the movement for LGBTQ+ rights. The honoree was Julius’ Bar at 159 West 10th Street and the notable event was the Sip-In. In the 1960s, […]
