Randy Wicker is considered one of the most influential and impactful LGBTQ+ activists of both the pre- and post-Stonewall eras. Born February 3, 1938, in Plainfield, New Jersey, as Charles Gervin Hayden, Jr., Wicker grew up with his grandparents in Florida. His first encounter with New York did not come until his college years. In […]
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. Heavily armed non-state factions have been engaging in […]
For the past several years I have had the privilege of learning about sites across Greenwich Village, the East Village and NoHo, as I worked on research, archives, and mapping projects for Village Preservation. I have written about many of these locations for Village Preservation’s blog, Off the Grid, and for my final contribution, I […]
Established May 23, 1895, the New York Public Library is the largest municipal library in the world. Today, the NYPL has over 92 locations across Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, and holds over 53 million items. Its history is rich and deeply connected to our neighborhoods. The story begins in the mid-1800s, when New […]
Village Preservation is proud to honor Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition as a 2026 Village Awardee! Join us in recognizing the Coalition and five other remarkable awardees at Village Preservation’s Annual Meeting and Village Awards on Wednesday, June 10th, with emcee Penny Arcade, at the historic Great Hall at Cooper Union. Registration is free and […]
For decades, our neighborhoods have been hotbeds of musical innovation, creation, and collaboration. From jazz to folk to punk, countless musical styles and movements have been deeply touched by the people and venues in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and Noho. At Village Preservation, we consistently produce programs that highlight our neighborhood’s significance within music, […]
Some jazz histories shout. Mary Lou Williams’ story moves differently. It sits at the piano, listens closely, and then changes the room. Williams was one of the great pianists, composers, and arrangers in American music. Born Mary Elfrieda Scruggs in Atlanta in 1910 and raised in Pittsburgh, she began playing piano as a child and […]
The origins of jazz are famously hybrid. The Black diaspora in New Orleans’ cultural melting pot assimilated music as diverse as spirituals and marches around the turn of the 20th century; and it came up with a unique, blues-inflected, syncopated Afro-Western amalgam that, within a few years, would take the country by storm. By the […]
May is a season of renewal, reflection, and discovery. This year we’re offering a dynamic lineup of public programs that tap into the neighborhood’s deep historical roots while engaging with urgent contemporary issues. From waterfront history to preservation advocacy, and from cultural milestones to community heritage, May’s offerings connect past and present in meaningful ways. […]
2026 marks a significant milestone for one of New York City’s most beloved traditions. For 25 years, Village Preservation’s Spring House Tour Benefit has invited guests inside some of Greenwich Village’s most extraordinary private homes, offering a rare glimpse into the neighborhood’s rich architectural heritage and the vibrant lives unfolding within its walls. Founded by […]
In our neighborhoods, several small, community-rooted shops have long embraced environmentally conscious practices, whether through reuse, ethical sourcing, or fostering mindful consumption. This Earth Day, we’re highlighting a group of standout businesses that were Village Preservation Businesses of the Month whose missions align with sustainability in thoughtful and inspiring ways. A Sustainable Village – 50 […]
Our Jazz Map of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo, is the first-ever, in-depth, interactive map documenting the history of jazz in our neighborhoods, which have for decades been epicenters of jazz performance and innovation. The map tells the story of the music through over a hundred entries, covering local music venues, recording studios, […]
Village Preservation is excited to share our newest interactive online resource, our Jazz Map of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo; a multi-layered tool to both explore and share the rich history of our neighborhoods as it relates to that most uniquely American art form, jazz. This dynamic map showcases the clubs, streets, and […]
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. Flann O’Brien’s surreal masterpiece The Third Policeman posits […]
Nostalgia and preservation are distinct but sometimes intersecting impulses, both of which of course manifest in Village Preservation’s work. The 1990s were Village Preservation’s second decade, and an important time for growth and evolution for the organization. Then as now, twice a year we released a newsletter detailing our work, and maintain an archive of […]
On the afternoon of Saturday, March 25, 1911, sirens blared through the streets of Greenwich Village. Alarmed by the urgency of the fire trucks whizzing by, many residents, including future U.S. Labor Secretary Frances Perkins and future New York State Assemblyman Louis Waldman, followed their path. Arriving at the Asch Building, on the corner of […]
Ever paused on a Village block and wondered, “What’s lying behind those doors?” In neighborhoods like ours, where historic homes are found on every street, it’s hard not to imagine spaces just beyond view, with their interiors shaped by history, ingenuity, and imagination. Each spring, Village Preservation offers a rare opportunity to step beyond that […]
One of Village Preservation’s most beloved traditions is our Annual Meeting and Village Awards, at which we celebrate our achievements of the past year and honor invaluable 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 have […]
In the 1930s and 1940s, Greenwich Village was one of New York City’s most vibrant centers of jazz. Small clubs lined the streets, especially along Seventh Avenue South, where musicians and audiences gathered late into the night to hear a sound that was reshaping American music. Among the artists who performed in these rooms, few […]
March is Women’s History Month, and while we celebrate women’s history all year, we do so especially during this particular month when we highlight the countless women of our neighborhoods who have fought tirelessly and courageously for equality, justice, and opportunity in our nation. It is the perfect time to remember that we are continuing […]
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 […]
One of Village Preservation’s most beloved traditions is our Annual Meeting and Village Awards, at which we celebrate our achievements of the past year and honor invaluable 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 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 you want to check out a vast […]
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 […]
Electric Lady Studios exists because Jimi Hendrix refused to rush inspiration. In 1968, frustrated by expensive studio time and rigid schedules, Hendrix purchased the failing Generation Club at 52 West 8th Street in Greenwich Village. His vision was radical and simple: a place where musicians could work without watching the clock, that felt alive. Working […]
Elizabeth Blackwell (February 3, 1821–May 31, 1910) was the first woman in the United States to receive a medical degree and was a pioneering figure whose work reshaped both medicine and the social history of our neighborhoods. Over the years, Village Preservation has returned again and again to Blackwell’s story, tracing her footsteps through Greenwich […]
Sixth Avenue cuts through Greenwich Village from north to south. While Fifth Avenue may be more posh, and Hudson Street more homey, Sixth Avenue, too, is home to so many sites that are core to our neighborhood: Jefferson Market Library and Garden, the Waverly Diner, and Father Demo Square, among other locations. And of course, […]
Deborah Glick has proudly served Greenwich Village in the New York State Assembly for three and a half decades. When elected in 1990, she became the first openly gay member of the legislature, and continued to break ground throughout her career, including leading the fight for marriage equality in the state. Shortly before she announced […]
Protest has long been woven into the fabric of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. From Washington Square to Tompkins Square and along countless main thoroughfares, side streets, and parks, our public spaces have served as a forum for dissent and debate. Village Preservation’s Historic Image Archive captures this legacy with remarkable clarity. Through […]
Unlike the regimented grid of most of Manhattan, Greenwich Village’s streets meet at irregular angles and follow unique paths. Already a somewhat developed neighborhood by the time of the 1811 commissioner’s street grid plan, the Village’s geography is built upon the roads created from its days of early colonial settlement. The neighborhood’s street names also […]
This blog post was originally published on November 17, 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. He was one of the most significant, prolific, and versatile artists […]
New York City is home to what is arguably the most diverse and vibrant cultural scene anywhere in the world. Within that vast intellectual, artistic, and expressive mosaic there lies a hidden gem—a group where creativity, conversation, and camaraderie come together over an hot cup of America’s favorite caffeinated beverage. That gem is the Coffee […]
On July 16, 1951, the best-selling novel, The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger (January 1, 1919 – January 27, 2010), was released. It’s a coming-of-age story that follows the depressed and increasingly dejected sixteen-year-old Holden Caulfield in his aimless escapades around Manhattan. An aspiring lost soul, Holden spends an unchaperoned weekend wandering the […]
Village Preservation kicked off its campaign to honor, document, and seek landmark designation for the South Village and its remarkable immigrant and bohemian histories in December of 2006 and completed the effort in December of 2016 with designation of the third and final phase of our proposed South Village Historic District, the largest expansion of landmark protections in the […]
Whose woods these are I think I know.His house is in the village though;He will not see me stopping hereTo watch his woods fill up with snow. — Opening stanza to Robert Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” Frost lived within the Greenwich Village Historic District at 107 Waverly Place in 1920. Though […]
From the northern edge of Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village to 143rd Street in Harlem, Fifth Avenue divides Manhattan. The centerfold of the Manhattan, it is nearly impossible to imagine New York without the seven-mile-long stretch. But, like many Manhattan streets, Fifth Avenue grew out of the original 1811 Commissioner’s Plan grid. Its development […]
New York City, it has been said, is a town of opinionated loudmouths. Maybe so. If that’s the case, our neighborhoods can historically claim a disproportionate number of them. And we’d argue that that’s a good thing and that some of those so-called loudmouths made our world a better place by refusing to bow to […]
A journey through the narrow, winding streets of the Greenwich Village Historic District is a trip through a living museum, an opportunity to explore an area with more than 2,000 buildings preserved across some 65 blocks. Designated in 1969, the district’s rich mix of row houses, tenements, small apartment buildings, and older Federal-, Italianate- and […]
Coffee culture in our neighborhoods during the early 20th century was vibrant and bustling. With numerous coffeehouses and cafes, including the famed Caffe Reggio, the caffeinated beverage was an excuse to gather socially, in addition to being a popular drink to brew at home. Unsurprisingly, the business of coffee was at the time almost exclusively […]
October is always a month of rich programming for us, with autumn in full swing with its cool crisp air and the impending excitement of the holiday season. October 2025 was no exception—in fact, it offered one of the most diverse and engaging programming lineups in recent memory. This month’s mix of lectures, tours, conversations, […]
2025 marks 100 years since Robert Rauschenberg’s birth (October 22, 1925 – May 12, 2008), making this the perfect time to revisit the creative energy and ingenuity he brought to Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. Rauschenberg’s New York journey Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Rauschenberg came to New York in the early 1950s […]
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. Shaving cream locked behind glass to ward off […]
As New York City heads toward the 2025 general election, we are making sure that historic preservation and thoughtful urban planning remain front and center in public debate. Our Elections 2025 webpage offers an invaluable civic resource. While the mayoral race tends to draw the headlines, the decisions made by City Councilmembers and Borough Presidents […]
October is Italian-American Heritage Month, a rich opportunity to reflect on the profound contributions of Italian Americans to our city and nation. Here in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo, Italian immigrants and their descendants shaped neighborhoods, built small businesses, joined civic life, and wove their stories into the fabric of New York. At […]
In an age of increasing digital reliance, with endless content curated by apps and algorithms, generations young and old are returning to older technologies. With CDs and records all back in style, there is no better place to begin or restart your analog music collection than our neighborhoods. Many incredible record stores dot the streets […]
On Sunday, September 28, families, friends, and neighbors set off on an adventure through Greenwich Village, uncovering history, mystery, and plenty of fun at our Great Village History Hunt. The adventure began beneath the iconic Washington Square Arch, where participants set off with treasure maps leading them to six historic Village landmarks — from Edward […]
Explore Transit History in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo with Village Preservation’s Blog While much about the present and future may preoccupy us, today we’re going to take a look back about 200 years. The story of modern rail transport is often traced to September 1825, when a small steam locomotive, known as […]
Hosting over 80 programs annually, nearly all of which are free and open to the public, Village Preservation programming brings the architectural and cultural history of our neighborhoods to life through tours, lectures, conversations, webinars, and much more. You can revisit many of these programs on Village Preservation’s YouTube channel. Today, we take a look […]
Richard Barone’s vision of Greenwich Village began long before he moved here. Growing up in Florida, he was captivated by stories of its bohemian spirit and artistic ferment. That sense of the Village as an almost mythical place was reinforced when he met musician Tiny Tim as a teenager. Both eventual mentor and friend, Tiny […]
There’s something magical about a good map. It’s not just a tool for finding your way — it’s a window into another world, a story waiting to be uncovered. At Village Preservation, we’ve long believed that maps are one of the most powerful ways to connect people with the neighborhoods we work to protect. Our […]
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. Much has changed since the heyday of diners […]
The Salmagundi Club has championed the visual arts in our neighborhood since its founding in 1871. Created by artists and patrons, the club serves to support painters and art enthusiasts, hosting exhibitions, lectures, painting demonstrations, classes, and auctions. The club moved to its permanent home at 47 Fifth Avenue in 1917, where it has been […]
Have you ever had one of those moments where you catch yourself talking about talking about something, and suddenly realize you’ve gone full Inception? Well, welcome to ours. Today, we’re writing a blog post… about our blog. Yes, we know. Very meta. But Off the Grid isn’t just any blog — it’s Village Preservation’s digital […]
When audiences first saw The Seventh Victim following its release on August 21, 1943, they were introduced not only to a chilling mystery centered on a vaguely homoerotic satanic cult in Greenwich Village, in a story that served as a prequel to the successful thriller Cat People, which was released the year before. They also […]
It was the summer of 1965; the United States and the USSR were racing to the moon; the U.S. escalated its involvement in the Vietnam war; and years of civil rights protests led to the passage of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965. The 1960s are often remembered as a time of social upheaval, […]
In 1925, a Jewish-Polish immigrant named Eve Adams opened a tearoom at 129 MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village. The spot quickly became a gathering place for artists, poets, activists, and, most notably, members of the lesbian community. An outspoken lesbian and activist herself, Eve undoubtedly changed the course of queer culture and history in our […]
The New Deal is one of the most consequential presidential achievements in the history of this country. Context matters. The national economy at the time was on the verge of collapse. A third of the workforce was unemployed; panicked withdrawals threatened the viability of banks; soup kitchens had lines that went around the block; half […]
When the Singer Building rose in stages between 1897 and 1908, it briefly crowned the Lower Manhattan skyline with one of the city’s most ornate vertical statements: a richly detailed, slender tower designed for the Singer Sewing Machine Company by the Beaux-Arts architect Ernest Flagg. Less than sixty years later, the tower was intentionally demolished […]
Café Wha? sits half-underground at 115 MacDougal, a basement once used to stable horses. In 1959 actor Manny Roth hauled in broken marble for the floor, sprayed the walls black, and lit candles on cast-off tables. Capacity: 325 souls and one restless dream of fame. Greenwich Village already pulsed with poetry, but Roth’s “swingingest coffee […]
Decades after the show’s debut on September 22, 1994, the corner of Bedford and Grove Street remains a must-see destination for fans of a certain iconic ‘90s sitcom. From 1994 to 2004, Friends dominated television screens, influencing a generation into talking a certain way and a certain kind of haircut. Primarily set in our neighborhood, […]
While they may no longer be large foldout papers that you can never seem to fold back together, maps remain incredibly important, even if they are now digital tools on our smartphones. Take a moment and think if this has this happened to you: you’re zooming in on Google Maps on your phone trying to […]
Do you live in an apartment? Well, for most New Yorkers, that was not always the case. Apartment living, while now synonymous with New York life, is a newer phenomenon, having not gained popularity with most New Yorkers until the late 19th century. Before the Civil War, unless they were poor or working class, or […]
Explore the History Behind the WallsStep into the story of the French Flats—19th-century apartment buildings that transformed how New Yorkers lived. With Village Preservation’s interactive map, you can explore each site, view historic images, and uncover the lives of artists, activists, and everyday people who called these flats home.Experience the map In the 1870s, something […]
On July 16, 1951, the best-selling novel, The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger (January 1, 1919 – January 27, 2010), was released. It’s a coming-of-age story that follows the depressed and increasingly dejected sixteen-year-old Holden Caulfield in his aimless escapades around Manhattan. An aspiring lost soul, Holden spends an unchaperoned weekend wandering the […]
During the long days of summer, there is nothing better than lounging in one of our neighborhood’s parks. Many notable visual artists have been captivated by the natural beauty of our parks, as well as the interesting convergences of human activity. Today, we will take a closer look at some depictions of our most famous […]
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 […]
Hosting over 80 programs annually, nearly all of which are free and open to the public, Village Preservation programming brings the architectural and cultural history of our neighborhoods to life through tours, lectures, conversations, webinars, and much more. You can revisit many of these programs on Village Preservation’s YouTube channel. Today we take a look […]
Each year, thousands of self-identified lesbians take to the streets of New York City for the annual Dyke March, where participants march from Bryant Park to Washington Square Park in a proud display of protest and community. And while the New York Dyke March has become a local tradition, the first Dyke March, however, orginated […]
At her prime, she was called “the most dangerous woman in America.” At her core, she was a Jewish Russian immigrant who relentlessly advocated for women’s equality, workers’ rights, free speech, and political reform. Emma Goldman (1869–1940) was an anarchist and activist at heart, a pivotal leader in the American progressive movement. And it was […]
Tony Dapolito Recreation Center stands in the heart of Greenwich Village and has served these many years as much more than just a city rec center. It’s a place where generations of New Yorkers learned to swim, shoot hoops, and connect with their neighbors. It’s also a cultural touchstone — immortalized in films like Raging […]
Lillian Hellman, Greenwich Village, and Her Stand Against HUAC Greenwich Village has always been more than just a charming New York neighborhood — it has been a crucible for radical ideas, artistic experimentation, and political defiance. Among the many bold voices shaped by the Village’s spirit was Lillian Hellman, a trailblazing playwright and screenwriter who […]
Across the country, June is recognized as Pride Month, celebrating LGBTQ+ communities in honor of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a pivotal moment in the fight for gay rights and liberation. Our neighborhoods have held a longstanding, deep connection with the queer community, having served as hubs for bars, restaurants, clubs, theaters, and community centers that […]
An exciting feature of Village Preservation’s sizable Historic Image Archive is the ability to filter images by category, or “tag.” We have added tags to the more than 5,000 historic photographs in our archive, so that users can easily view images organized by their interests. To celebrate pride, we will explore images using the “LGBTQ+” tag, which […]
Throughout the history of LGBTQIA+ life in our neighborhoods, there is a rich lineage of spaces specifically intended for queer women and lesbians. Today, as we start Pride Month, let’s take a look at just a few of the many historic lesbian bars, clubs, and hangouts that called our neighborhoods home — from a century […]
The Chrysler Building is one of the most iconic and beloved skyscrapers ever built. With its soaring spire, chrome-plated gargoyles modeled after 1929 Chrysler hood ornaments, and gleaming, terraced crown, it was the epitome of Art Deco design: elegant, futuristic, and unapologetically modern. Its dazzling lobby welcomed its first visitors when the Chrysler Building opened […]
Imagine a time before independent film. Just about no one makes them. If more did, no one would show them. And if someone showed them, few would watch them and certainly no one would write about them, because they just aren’t something worthy of serious discussion. If all that changed, it was, to no small […]
Village Preservation is proud to honor Forbidden Planet as a 2025 Village Awardee! Join us in recognizing Forbidden Planet and the five other remarkable awardees at Village Preservation’s Annual Meeting and Village Awards on Wednesday, June 11th, at the historic Great Hall at Cooper Union. Registration is free and open to all. Click here to register. At […]
The month of May bursts with meaning in New York City, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the historic and diverse neighborhoods of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. May is Haitian Heritage Month, Asian American And Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Lower East Side History Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, and National […]
Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes one of our favorite annual traditions: Village Awards season! This year, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, Village Preservation invites you to the 45th Annual Meeting and 35th Village Awards. This free, public celebration honors the extraordinary people, places, and organizations that make our neighborhoods some […]
As Earth Day blooms across New York City, there’s a special kind of quiet beauty on every tree-lined street of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo — neighborhoods where history is embedded in the dust of every brick. While global sustainability efforts often spotlight solar panels and LEED certifications, this Earth Day, let’s celebrate […]
Every first Sunday in May, something quietly magical unfolds in the winding streets of Greenwich Village. As cherry blossoms bloom and stoops warm in the afternoon sun, a few special doors open—not just to private homes, but to entirely different eras. Our Spring House Tour Benefit isn’t just a peek into exquisite interiors—it’s a kind […]
In an age where access to information is just a click away, digitized archives are becoming essential tools for researchers, students, journalists, and curious minds alike. When organizations make historical materials publicly accessible online, they’re not just preserving the past—they’re actively connecting it to the present and future. Village Preservation’s digitized archive of the Village […]
It was the bullet felt around the world. On April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot by stage actor, Confederate sympathizer, and white supremacist John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theater in Washington, DC. Lincoln succumbed to his wounds in the early hours of the following day, April 15, at the Peterson Boarding House just […]
At the start of Fifth Avenue sits the grand Washington Square Arch, welcoming New Yorkers and visitors alike into the heart of Greenwich Village. Today, on a stroll through the park, one might find street artists performing in the empty fountain, college students sharing a quick lunch between classes, and strangers deep in conversation about […]
Our neighborhood is packed with rich histories of trailblazing women who worked, lived, and organized within its streets. Within just one small block in Greenwich Village, consisting of West Washington Place and Sheridan Square between 6th and 7th Avenues, there are multiple sites that have deep connections to Women’s History. On Village Preservation’s Greenwich Village […]
New York City is home to what is arguably the most diverse and vibrant cultural scene anywhere in the world. Within that vast intellectual, artistic, and expressive mosaic there lies a hidden gem—a group where creativity, conversation, and camaraderie come together over an hot cup of America’s favorite caffeinated beverage. That gem is the Coffee […]
Imagine that at a dinner party, you turn to the person to your right, ask him about his background in the city, and he leads with this: He moved to New York during the late ‘60s with a freshly minted degree in architecture. At the time, many in the profession shared a faith in the […]
Amidst the hustle and bustle of Greenwich Village, where the buzz of traffic and the rush of pedestrians never seem to slow down, finding a peaceful green space is nothing short of an essential. One such oasis, nestled in the heart of our neighborhoods, has stood as a testament to the transformative power of nature […]
Recent times have reminded us that the free press is a fragile institution. The publishing history in our neighborhoods reminds us that it is also an indispensable one. Our neighborhoods have long exerted a magnetic pull on independent spirits and malcontents. It should come as no surprise that many of them exercised their freedom of […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
