Observing History through the Lens of Women Photographers: Carole Teller
This is the second in a multi-part series
Photography has long been a powerful medium for documenting history, shaping narratives, and preserving memory. 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. Today we focus on the photographs of Carole Teller, whose treasure trove of images form a cornerstone of our archive. She not only captured the physical transformations of the neighborhoods but also immortalized the social and cultural shifts that have defined the area.
Carole Teller’s Photographs: A Window into New York City’s Past
In a city that is constantly changing, where its landscape, people, and neighborhoods evolve at a rapid pace, there are moments in time that remain frozen, captured forever in photographs. Carole Teller, an acclaimed painter and photographer, has managed to preserve many such moments through her remarkable collection of images. Teller’s photographs provide a unique glimpse into the cultural and architectural history of the city, particularly its downtown neighborhoods, capturing scenes of everyday life, landmarks, and long-lost streetscapes.
Carole Teller is a longtime resident of the East Village, and her personal connection to the neighborhoods she photographed shines through in her work. A professional artist and photographer, Teller spent decades documenting New York City’s changing urban fabric. Her images are not just visually striking but also hold historical significance, serving as a record of the city’s evolution during the second half of the 20th century.
While many of her photographs focus on the neighborhoods of the East and West Village, her lens also ventured into other parts of Manhattan and New York City. The authenticity and intimacy she brings to her work make it clear that these aren’t just images taken by an observer—they are snapshots from someone who deeply understood and appreciated the places she was documenting.
Village Preservation’s Historic Image Archive contains over 6,000 images, and Carole Teller’s contributions are among the most compelling. The photographs, donated by Teller herself, span from the 1960s through the early 1990s, a period marked by significant cultural and physical shifts in New York City. During this time, neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, the East Village, and SoHo were undergoing gentrification, and many historic buildings were being replaced by new developments.
Teller’s images capture the city at a time when it was still gritty and raw, long before it became the polished and tourist-friendly destination it is today. The streets she photographed were filled with mom-and-pop shops, independent theaters, and unrenovated buildings—many of which have since disappeared. Her work also highlights everyday New Yorkers: street vendors, children playing in parks, local artists, and activists, all of whom were part of the city’s vibrant tapestry.
Key Themes in Teller’s Work
- Architectural History and Preservation: One of the most important aspects of Teller’s photography is her documentation of buildings and streetscapes that no longer exist. Her images are invaluable for historians and preservationists, as they show New York before many of its historic structures were lost to development. Teller had an eye for capturing details like old shop signs, graffiti, and ornate facades that gave the neighborhoods their character.
- Community and Culture: Teller’s work doesn’t just focus on the buildings—her photographs also tell the story of the people who lived and worked in these communities. She photographed a diverse range of New Yorkers, from artists and activists to everyday people going about their lives. Her images of political protests, street art, and community events showcase the vibrant culture that made neighborhoods like the Village so unique.
- Urban Transformation: Teller’s photographs document a city in transition. The 1960s and 70s were a tumultuous time in New York’s history, with economic decline, crime, and social unrest, yet they were also years of immense creativity and activism. Her images capture both the beauty and the challenges of the time, providing an honest portrayal of New York’s streets, from the crumbling facades of old tenements to the rise of new skyscrapers.
Today, Carole Teller’s photographs are more than just nostalgic images of a bygone era. They serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving New York City’s historic neighborhoods and the cultural diversity that has defined the city for centuries. In a city where development pressures often threaten to erase the past, Teller’s work helps ensure that the city’s rich history is not forgotten. As part of Village Preservation’s Historic Image Archive, her work continues to inspire and inform, ensuring that the past remains a living part of the city’s future.
Whether you’re a historian, a lover of photography, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of old New York, Carole Teller’s photographs are a storehouse of memories waiting to be explored.
Explore the Archive
For those eager to explore Carole Teller’s Changing New York Collection, Village Preservation’s Historic Image Archive provides a rich digital archive that is accessible online. Visitors to our site can search through hundreds of her images, discovering a New York that once was, from the iconic streets of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo, to lesser-known corners of the city.
In addition to Teller’s photographs, the archive features thousands of other images documenting the history of Greenwich Village, the East Village, NoHo, and other neighborhoods throughout New York City. Each photograph is a piece of the city’s puzzle, waiting to be explored and appreciated.
You can view our entire historic image archive of over 6,000 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.