Last week, Village Preservation unveiled our 21st historic plaque marking the former home of Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs at 206 East 7th Street (Avenues B and C), where they both lived early in their careers and hosted (and famously photographed on the fire escape) Jack Kerouac. The site is incredibly important in the development of the Beat movement and as a site of downtown culture.

We were thrilled to be joined by scores of neighbors and admirers, as well as some wonderful speakers with expert and intimate knowledge of the two writers and their lives and works. 

Village Preservation’s historic plaque program honors the great diversity of artists, activists, and places that have defined the transformative character of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. Sites honored include the former homes of Jane Jacobs, James Baldwin, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Lorraine Hansberry, Frank Stella, Martha Graham, Frank O’Hara, and Elizabeth Blackwell; the headquarters of the NAACP and The Crisis Magazine; Julius’ Bar; and the Fillmore East, among many other sites. Learn more about and explore all our historic plaques here.

Special thanks to the board and residents of 204-206 East 7th Street for supporting this plaque installation.