Mapping the Village: How Our Maps Help You Discover History
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 collection of online maps does more than show you where streets meet — it layers history, architecture, and culture onto the familiar grid of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo.
A Map for Every Curiosity
Our Civil Rights and Social Justice Map traces the outsized role Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo have played in advancing equality and human rights. From early labor organizing and women’s suffrage, to LGBTQ+ activism, the abolitionist movement, and pivotal civil rights struggles, the map highlights the sites where ordinary people took extraordinary action to change the world. It’s both a celebration of the Village’s legacy of justice and a reminder of the ongoing need to preserve the places where history was made.
Interested in Art Deco? Our Art Deco Map highlights the sleek, stylish buildings of the 1920s and 30s that still grace the streets of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. From bold geometric facades to elegant ornamentation, these gems show how the neighborhoods embraced the glamour and innovation of the era—and why preserving them matters.
Interested in Suffs? Our Women’s Suffrage History Map traces the key sites in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo where the fight for women’s voting rights came alive. From meeting halls to homes of activists, this map highlights the neighborhoods’ pivotal role in the movement that helped secure the right to vote for women—and celebrates the legacy of courage and determination that still inspires today.
There are SO MANY MAPS for every interest to choose from on our resource page. Each map is designed to make history easy to explore, whether you’re standing on a Village corner with your phone or browsing from home.
Why Maps Matter
Maps turn preservation into an adventure. They let you discover a hidden courtyard, learn that your favorite café was once a poet’s home, or see exactly where a landmark fight saved a beloved building from demolition.
They also remind us that history isn’t static — it’s living, breathing, and vulnerable. By showing us what’s here now (and what’s been lost), our maps help build the case for why preservation is so essential.
From Maps to Real-Life Adventures
Our maps don’t just live online — they inspire real-world discovery. This fall, we’re turning the entire neighborhood into a playground for explorers of all ages with our Great Village History Hunt!
This family-friendly event will follow a special map that leads participants to historic sites throughout the Village, solving clues, collecting stamps, and uncovering stories at each stop. It’s the perfect way to bring history to life for kids and parents alike — a living, breathing version of what our maps do every day. Registration is required for the Great Village History Hunt. There is a suggested donation, and spaces are limited, so please register today! Recommended ages are grades K-6th and kids must be accompanied by an adult.
📅 Date: Sunday, September 28th 3 PM – 6 PM
📍 Starting Point: Washington Square Park (location will be given upon registration)
Start Exploring
Whether you’re a seasoned historian, a student, or just a curious New Yorker, Village Preservation’s maps are here to guide you. Take a stroll through the past, trace the layers of the neighborhood, and see the Village in a whole new way.