The Greenwich Village Historic District’s Historic Birthday!
Who doesn’t like an opportunity to celebrate? The Greenwich Village Historic District, which was designated (landmarked) on April 29, 1969, holds some of the loveliest bits of Greenwich Village within its bounds — from Washington Square to Abingdon Square, from the New School to the New York Studio School. Historic houses of worship and historic houses, key sites of immigrant and African-American history, and so much more can be found and are embodied in this district.
In 2019, Village Preservation and many of our community partners, members, and friends came together to celebrate the Greenwich Village Historic District on its 50th birthday – what we called #GVHD50. Take a look back at the celebration with us!
GVHD50 Celebration
Almost a year in the making, our weekend-long celebration of the district’s 50th birthday took place on April 13th and 14th, 2019. See our photographs from the celebration here.
The Villager’s “Feting 50 years of G.V. Historic District” reported that “In his opening remarks, [Village Preservation Executive Director Andrew] Berman told the audience catching the welcomed sun, ‘The largest historic district in New York City continues to attract residents, creators and visitors from around the world.’ He reminded everyone of unique Village features — charming architecture, crooked streets.”
We were honored to be joined by City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission Executive Director Lisa Kersavage, Borough President Gale Brewer, State Senator Brad Hoylman, State Assembly Member Deborah Glick, and City Council Member Margaret Chin.
After the speeches and proclamations were given, Villagers danced to the folk, jazz, and rock music of Richard Barone & Friends, Greenwich House Music School’s Faculty Duo Lynn Bechtold and Alon Bisk, Eli Smith with Ali Dineen and Ryo Sasaki & The Jazz Park Rangers
Events, tours, and discounts took place all over the district all weekend long, which you can learn about and/or relive here.
GVHD50 Resources
The designation of the Greenwich Village Historic District was the culmination of a multi-year effort by neighborhood leaders and preservationists, it secured landmark designation for much if not all of the neighborhood, creating the city’s largest historic district.
To celebrate the anniversary, Village Preservation released our interactive online map: Greenwich Village Historic District, 1969 – 2019: Photos and Tours. This great tool allows you to see side-by-side photos of every one of the more than 2,200 buildings in the district in 1969 at the time of designation, and today. It also offers more than two dozen tours covering nearly 1,000 historic sites of the district’s incredibly rich history, architecture, writers and artists, theaters, houses of worship, and more. Explore it all here.
We also released an updated version of our report New Buildings Approved for Construction Within the Greenwich Village Historic District Since Designation. The report is part of our work of documenting and tracking the health and maintenance of the district in the 50 years since its designation.
You can also read posts on our blog about the Greenwich Village Historic District’s 50th anniversary here, and read Executive Director Andrew Berman’s articles in 6Sqft about the Greenwich Village Historic District here.
GVHD50 Yearlong Programming
Do you yearn to learn the real stories behind the creation of the Greenwich Village Historic District? See photos of a full art exhibition at the Salmagundi Arts Club full of art inspired by the Greenwich Village Historic District area? Look ahead to the ways that we must continue to protect, preserve, and celebrate the district? See these images and hear from the mouths of the experts from the yearlong programs Village Preservation hosted throughout 2019.
Here’s a selection of those events, along with links for photos and videos:
- 50 Years of the Greenwich Village Historic District: How Landmarking Has Shaped and Preserved A Neighborhood – Photos and Video 11/4/19
- Continuing the Fight: Expanding Landmark Protections Since the Greenwich Village Historic District Designation Photos and Video 10/30/19
- Exhibition, Awards, and Reception of Greenwich Village Art and Environs Photos 10/16/19
- A Greenwich Village Historic District Town Hall on its Present & Future Photos and Video 9/25/19
- Storefronts in Landmarked Buildings and Historic Districts — What You Need to Know Photos and Video 9/12/19
- Event: Historic Plaque Unveiling: Alex Haley Home and Studio Video and photos 5/15/19
- The Work Behind the District’s Designation Video and photos 3/11/19
- The Making of the Greenwich Village Historic District Video and photos 1/28/19
Learn and experience more online here. And, join us in our celebration of the Greenwich Village Historic District – and all historic districts.