Imagine standing in Greenwich Village in the summer of 1776. Instead of rows of brownstones, apartment buildings, and busy sidewalks, you would find rolling farmland, country estates, orchards, and dirt roads stretching north from the bustling colonial city. Soldiers marched through these fields. General George Washington established his headquarters here as he prepared to defend […]
As celebrations of the Semiquincentennial begin across the nation, we at Village Preservation are using this moment to highlight the revolutionary contributions of our neighborhood and city. Rather than focusing solely on the Revolutionary War era, our “Revolutionary Village” theme highlights 250 years of ongoing revolution in politics, culture, the arts, and society that have […]
Two important events in New York history took place that, while separated by nearly two centuries, are deeply connected through one of the city’s most historic thoroughfares: Lafayette Street. In June 1825, the Marquis de Lafayette returned once more to New York City for a final visit during his triumphant farewell tour of the United […]
This March, Village Preservation presents a dynamic slate of public programs that embody two defining themes: Women’s History Month and our 2026 Semiquincentennial series, “The Revolutionary Village.” From grassroots activism and immigrant narratives, to music, architecture, and civic engagement, this month’s events explore how the people of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo have […]
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 […]
As the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding in 1776, Village Preservation’s “Revolutionary Village” initiative asks us to consider revolution not as a single historical moment, but as an ongoing process rooted in ideas, dissent, and the persistent reimagining of democracy. Few figures embody that tradition more powerfully than Thomas Paine, born […]
While July 4, 1776 is considered our country’s official birthday, the war for independence from Great Britain spans nearly a decade, from 1775 to 1783. January 14 is Ratification Day, commemorating the day in 1784 when the Treaty of Paris was formally ratified and the Revolutionary War officially came to an end. This anniversary offers […]
