Observing History through the Lens of Women Photographers, Part I

This is the first in a three-part series

Photography has long been a powerful medium for documenting history, shaping narratives, and preserving the fabric of our communities. Women photographers have played a crucial role in capturing the spirit of our neighborhoods. Through the lens of their cameras, these women documented the evolution of our urban spaces, cultural movements, and everyday life, offering us an invaluable glimpse into the past.

Village Preservation’s Historic Image Archive, rich with visual history, includes contributions from many women photographers who brought unique perspectives to their work. In fact, the majority of the image collections in our historic image archive were taken, donated, or both by women. These women shutterbugs not only captured the physical transformations of our neighborhoods, but also immortalized the social and cultural shifts that have defined the area. Below, we explore the contributions of a few notable women photographers from our archive and the lasting impact of their work.

Susan De Vries

The most recent addition to our Historic Image Archive is a second tranche of photos taken by historian, researcher, and photographer Susan De Vries.

In the bustling landscape of Lower Manhattan, Federal-era rowhouses (ca. 1790-1835) stand as rare architectural remnants of early 19th-century and even late 18th-century New York. Through the photography of Susan De Vries, these historic gems are beautifully captured, and Village Preservation is honored to have them as a critical part of our Historic Image Archive.

In 1995, the Landmarks Preservation Commission asked Village Preservation (then called the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation) to conduct a photographic survey of Federal-era buildings of Lower Manhattan based on a list they provided. As an intern at our organization, Susan De Vries undertook that survey. After 1995, she continued to work on photographing and researching the buildings as part of her thesis work, and expanded the project beyond the original list.

De Vries’ work focuses on these elegant yet often overlooked structures, which once defined the residential character of the city’s early development. Her photographs highlight the intricate brickwork, grand doorways, and understated elegance that set these rowhouses apart from the towering skyscrapers that now dominate the cityscape.

By documenting these Federal rowhouses, De Vries not only captures their beauty but also emphasizes their historical significance. Her images remind us of the delicate balance between development and preservation, offering a window into a time when Manhattan was a quieter, more intimate place. Thanks to her keen eye and dedication to preservation, these buildings—and the stories they tell—have in many cases been safeguarded for future generations (many of those she documented were the subject of successful preservation campaigns by Village Preservation and others).

Her photography serves as a crucial visual record, celebrating the importance of maintaining the architectural legacy of Lower Manhattan amidst an ever-evolving urban landscape.

Meredith Jacobson Marciano

Meredith Jacobson Marciano grew up in Boston, but visited NYC frequently from 1976 to 1986 before moving to the East Village in the fall of that year. She brought along her trusty Minolta SRT201 and her love of Art Deco and mid-century buildings, picture palaces, ghost signs, ephemera and pop culture, past and present. 

The Meredith Jacobson Marciano Collection offers a vibrant and cinematic view of New York City, capturing moments that blend the everyday with the extraordinary. As a photographer who has worked extensively in location scouting for film, Marciano has a unique ability to frame the city’s streets, buildings, and people as if they are part of a larger narrative—one rich with history, culture, and intrigue.

Her photographs focus on the architecture, signage, and street life of neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, NoHo, and the East Village. From classic tenements and ornate brownstones to quirky storefronts and hidden alleyways, Marciano’s collection showcases the character of these iconic areas, often spotlighting spaces that could easily be passed without notice. Her keen eye for detail and context transforms everyday scenes into cinematic snapshots of urban life.

The Marciano collection serves as both an artistic portfolio and an invaluable historic record, celebrating the beauty of New York’s ever-changing landscape. Through her lens, we see the city not just as a backdrop, but as a living, breathing character in its own right.

Meredith still walks around with her camera; the Minolta no longer works, but has been replaced by a few other vintage analog finds. You can see more, especially if also interested in similar subjects now gone in Los Angeles and Boston in the 1970s-80s here,  and more recent work here. 

Jillian Jonas

The vibrant downtown drag scene of New York City in the 1980s and 1990s comes to life through the lens of Jillian Jonas, whose photography is another key part of our image archive. Jonas was the house photographer at the legendary Boy Bar on St. Mark’s Place in the mid-1990s, where she captured thousands of images of drag performers who mixed gender-bending and illusion with downtown in-your-face attitude. Jonas’ work documents this bold and expressive subculture, highlighting the drag performers who brought creativity, glamour, and activism to the nightlife of Greenwich Village the East Village, and other downtown neighborhoods.

Her photographs capture both the theatricality and intimacy of the drag scene, showcasing performers in dazzling costumes, dramatic makeup, and fearless poses. Beyond the performances, Jonas’ work also reveals the camaraderie and sense of community among the drag artists, as well as their vital role in pushing cultural boundaries and embracing LGBTQ+ identities during a pivotal time in New York’s history.

The Jillian Jonas Collection preserves these iconic moments, celebrating the drag scene’s influence on the city’s artistic and social fabric. Her images serve as a tribute to the creativity, resilience, and joy of a community that played a significant role in shaping downtown New York’s cultural identity.

Women Behind the Lens: A Legacy of Storytelling

The work of these women photographers, along with many others featured in Village Preservation’s archive, is a testament to the power of photography as a storytelling medium. Through their unique perspectives, these women documented not just the physical changes in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo, but also the social and cultural movements that shaped our neighborhoods.

Their photographs preserve the vibrancy, diversity, and complexity of Village life, serving as a reminder of the importance of women’s contributions to the historic record. Village Preservation’s commitment to archiving and celebrating the work of these photographers ensures that their legacy continues to inspire future generations.

You can view our entire historic image archive of over 5,000 images and more than 65 collections — most of which were donated by the public — here. Have your own old images of our neighborhoods or NYC you’re interested in donating? Click here to find out more.