Remembering September 11th through Images
Our Historic Image Archive highlights the history of the people and built environment of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo, and New York City in general. Today we explore … Continued
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Author: Sam Moskowitz
Public Art in Our Historic Image Archive
Our Historic Image Archive includes thousands of photos documenting New York City neighborhoods, people, and buildings. Public art is important part of our streetscapes, and can be found throughout our … Continued
Exploring the Agnes Balcer Image Collection
The Agnes Balcer Collection of our 4,700 piece (and growing!) historic image archive is one of our smallest collections, but the photos it contains have an outsize story to tell … Continued
The Gay Liberation Front’s Impact on LGBTQ+ History
In June 1969, a police raid on the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village was met with a resistance that launched the modern Gay Liberation Movement. Following decades of mostly discreet and … Continued
Remembering Vincent Livelli
Greenwich Village resident Vincent Livelli was a music and dance director who helped helped revolutionize the cruise ship industry. He was born on April 10, 1919 and died at age … Continued
Remembering Dorothy Lichtenstein
Dorothy Lichtenstein, wife of groundbreaking American artist Roy Lichtenstein, was a proud patron and philanthropist of the arts and friend of Village Preservation. She was born on October 26, 1939, … Continued
The Village Awards — A Tradition Since 1991!
Each year Village Preservation proudly honors about six remarkable people, organizations, businesses, and restorations at Village Preservation’s Annual Meeting and Village Awards. We’ve been doing so since June 10, 1991, … Continued
Remembering Activist Debby Lee Cohen
Many in the community have been following the landlord-tenant dispute at 310 East 12th Street and 305 East 11th Street. Some residents were allegedly evicted after these connected properties were … Continued
2024 Village Awardee: Bus Stop Cafe, 597 Hudson Street
Village Preservation is very proud to honor Bus Stop Cafe as a 2024 Village Awardee! Join us in recognizing Bus Stop Cafe and five other remarkable awardees at Village Preservation’s Annual … Continued
2024 Village Awardee: Penny Arcade
Village Preservation is very proud to honor Penny Arcade as a 2024 Village Awardee! Join us in recognizing Penny and five other amazing awardees at Village Preservation’s Annual Meeting and Village … Continued
Exploring Virtual Village Voices, Part 8: Jackson Pollock, Leontyne Price, and Robert Rauschenberg
In 2021 and 2022, Village Preservation developed an innovative outdoor public art exhibition displayed throughout Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. VILLAGE VOICES featured photographs, artifacts, and soundscape recordings to celebrate … Continued
Edward Hopper’s Greenwich Village Historic District
Here at Village Preservation, we celebrate April as “Greenwich Village Historic District Month,” since it was on April 29, 1969 that the district was landmarked, culminating a years-long battle to … Continued
Exploring Virtual Village Voices, Part 7: Joan Mitchell, Joe Papp, and Charlie Parker
In 2021 and 2022, Village Preservation developed an innovative outdoor public art exhibition displayed throughout Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. VILLAGE VOICES featured photographs, artifacts, and soundscape recordings to celebrate … Continued
Exploring Virtual Village Voices, Part 6: Larry Kramer, Helen Levitt, and Edna St. Vincent Millay
In 2021 and 2022, Village Preservation developed an innovative outdoor public art exhibition that was displayed throughout Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. VILLAGE VOICES featured photographs, artifacts, and soundscape recordings … Continued
Exploring Virtual Village Voices, Part 5: Billie Holiday, Edward Hopper, and Jane Jacobs
In 2021 and 2022, Village Preservation developed an innovative outdoor public art exhibition that was displayed throughout Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. VILLAGE VOICES featured photographs, artifacts, and … Continued
Exploring Virtual Village Voices, Part 3: cummings, Cunningham, and Draper
In 2021 and 2022, Village Preservation developed an innovative outdoor public art exhibition that was displayed throughout Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. VILLAGE VOICES featured photographs, artifacts, and soundscape recordings … Continued
Exploring Virtual Village Voices Part 1: Abbot, Auden, & Baldwin
In 2021 and 2022, Village Preservation developed an innovative outdoor public art exhibition, VILLAGE VOICES. Exhibits throughout Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo featured photographs, artifacts, and soundscape recordings … Continued
New Buildings Approved for Construction Within the Greenwich Village Historic District Since Designation
On January 3rd, 2017, Village Preservation released the first version of our report: New Buildings Approved for Construction within the Greenwich Village Historic District Since Designation. The report has been … Continued
STOMP’s Long Run at the Orpheum Theatre
On February 27, 1994, STOMP, the “international sensation and iconic New York theatrical landmark” opened at the 347-seat Orpheum Theatre at 126 2nd Avenue between 7th Street and St. Marks. … Continued
Hip Hop’s 2nd Birthplace, Part 5: Negril Nightclub
Hip Hop at 50This is the fifth in a series of posts that celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Birth of Hip Hop. Our exploration takes us to the seminal places of Hip … Continued
The New York City Work Horse
New York City was powered by horses for almost three hundred years. At its peak, well over 150,000 horses and by some estimates up to 200,000 lived in the city. … Continued
The American Seamen’s Friend Society Sailors’ Home and Institute
By the early nineteenth century New York City had developed as the largest port in the United States and one of the largest in the world. This growth of New … Continued
Cappuccino: Introduced to America in Greenwich Village, Still Going Strong
Cappuccinos are made from equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam. While this recipe is not debatable, the origin story is. Various Italian, French, Turkish, Viennese/Austro-Hungarians lay claim to all … Continued
Remembering the boy bar
In the late 19th century the term “boy bar” referred to what we would now call a “gay bar”. This is not to be confused with the boy bar, which … Continued
A History of Protest and the Marjorie Zien Collection
Greenwich Village resident and photographer Marjorie Zien has spent the last several decades chronicling life in her neighborhood and city. In 2021 she donated a collection of photos to Village … Continued
Meet the Fall 2023 Interns!
Village Preservation’s team is a strong one – we’re lucky to have a group of interns who are looking to gain experience in historic preservation in a non-profit environment. We usually … Continued
Hip Hop’s 2nd Birthplace, Part 5: Negril Nightclub
Hip Hop at 50This is the fifth in a series of posts that celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Birth of Hip Hop. Our exploration takes us to the seminal places of Hip … Continued
Hip Hop’s 2nd Birthplace, Part 4: Fun Gallery
This is the fourth in a series of posts that celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Birth of Hip Hop. Our exploration takes us to the seminal places of Hip Hop’s early days in our neighborhoods and introduces some of the instrumental figures in the downtown world of Hip Hop.
Hip Hop’s 2nd Birthplace, Part 3: Webster Hall
Hip-Hop at 50This is the third in a series of posts that celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Birth of Hip Hop. Our exploration takes us to the seminal places of Hip Hop’s … Continued
Historic Block Slated for Demolition
In August 2023 news broke that a row of six historic buildings on 3rd Avenue south of Union Square were scheduled for demolition. 50-52, 56, 58, 60, and 64 3rd … Continued
SoHo’s Cast Iron Landmarks: 1969 and Today
Edward LaGrassa was an architecture student in 1969 when he photographed hundreds of cast iron buildings and structures, largely in SoHo and Tribeca, but also in Harlem and Upper Manhattan. … Continued
Expanding Preservation Under Beverly Moss Spatt, Part II
Beverly Moss Spatt (1924-2023) was a leading figure in New York City planning and preservation for over fifty years. She served on the City Planning Commission from 1966-1970 and the New … Continued
Expanding Preservation Under Beverly Moss Spatt
Beverly Moss Spatt (1924-2023) was a leading figure in New York City planning and preservation for over fifty years. She grew up in Brooklyn where she helped form that borough’s first … Continued
Mystery Photos — 90s Drag Scene Edition
Many of the donated images in our Historic Image Archive were received with little identifying information. We often think, who are these people? Where is this location? When was this picture … Continued
Time for Summer!
There’s no better place to enjoy summer than the East Village, Greenwich Village, and NoHo! There is something for everyone, including amazing local ice cream, live music, community gardens and … Continued
Local Landmark: Church of the Immaculate Conception and Clergy House, 406-412 East 14th Street
One of the East Village’s earliest designated but perhaps least well known landmarks, is the Church of the Immaculate Conception and Clergy House, located at 406–412 East 14th Street between First Avenue and Avenue A, and … Continued
2023 Village Awardee: The Red Door Place, 201 West 13th Street
Village Preservation is very proud to honor The Red Door Place as a 2023 Village Awardee. Join us in recognizing The Red Door Place and these five other worthy awardees … Continued
Celebrating National Great Poetry Reading Day
Great Poetry Reading Day is celebrated each year on April 28. Poetry is one of humankind’s oldest art forms. In ancient times, prior to written alphabets and other forms of … Continued
April in the Archives
April is a wonderful time in New York City, as we transition into spring with flowers blooming and people filling the streets once again. Today we explore April through our … Continued
Oklahoma! Meets Greenwich Village
On March 31, 1943, the classic musical Oklahoma! opened on Broadway at the St. James Theatre. It ran for five years, setting a record with its 2,212 performances before closing on May … Continued
Evelyn Haynes: Insights from the Archive of a Preservation Pioneer
Evelyn G. Haynes (1909–2001) was a dedicated preservationist and a member of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission during its earliest days. Her family donated a collection of her records to … Continued
Redefining Downtown: One Chase Manhattan Plaza
Our Historic Image Archive includes thousands of images from the late 18th through the early 21st centuries. While most of our images show Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo, … Continued
January Favorites from the Archive
The Village Preservation Historic Image Archive highlights the history of the people and built environment of Greenwich Village, the East Village, NoHo, and New York City in general. All the … Continued
Explore Local Korean American Restaurants!
On January 13, 1903, one hundred and two Korean immigrants arrived by ship to Hawaii — the first Korean immigrants to this country. That number grew over the years, especially … Continued
It’s Festivus: Time for Our Airing of Grievances!
The ‘holiday’ of Festivus was developed as an alternative to the commercialization of the Christmas season and is celebrated annually on December 23rd. First celebrated in the mid-1960s by author … Continued
Celebrating National Pastry Day
National Pastry Day is celebrated on December 9th to salute one of the world’s favorite baked goods. Pastries can be traced as far back as the ancient Mediterranean, with treats … Continued
Remembering the Provincetown Playhouse
On November 22, 1918, the first performances were staged at the Provincetown Playhouse’s new home at 133 MacDougal Street. Founded in Massachusetts three years prior as the Provincetown Players, the … Continued
The American Indian Community House
The American Indian Community House (AICH) is a nonprofit community-based organization serving the needs of Native Americans residing in New York City. Comprised of Native Americans from 72 different tribes, … Continued
The Evolution of the Lichtenstein Studio
The Greenwich Village Historic District is one of NYC’s oldest and largest, encompassing over 100 blocks and 2,200 buildings. One of those buildings plays a role in history much greater … Continued
Celebrating The Taco
Americans reportedly consume over 4.5 billion tacos each year. Once merely a staple of the diet of our neighbors to the south, and later a cornerstone of the cuisine of … Continued
The Largest School in the World
Designed by Charles B.J. Snyder, P.S. 188 opened on September 21, 1902, taking up the entire city block bounded by East Houston and what was then Lewis, Manhattan, and East … Continued
Meet the Interns — Fall 2022
Village Preservation’s team is a strong one – we’re lucky to have a group of interns who are looking to gain experience in historic preservation in a non-profit environment. Interns assist … Continued
The Star Spangled Banner and the Village
After witnessing twenty-five hours of heavy bombardment of Fort McHenry on September 14, 1814 during the War of 1812, lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key was sure that when dawn came, the British … Continued
September 1st, 1939
On September 1st, 1939 German troops invaded Poland, starting Word War II, the costliest war in terms life and destruction in human history. Although the United States would not officially … Continued
Bret Harte and 14-16 Fifth Avenue
On May 11th, 2021, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, in a highly unusual split decision, voted to approve the demolition of the historic, landmarked 170+-year-old building at 14-16 Fifth Avenue and replace … Continued
The Ramones and CBGB: Forever Linked
The Ramones and CBGB were so integral to the development of the punk rock music genre in the mid-1970s that you can’t think of one without the other. The two … Continued
Village Cemeteries Part V, NoHo Edition
Moving westward across the Village through our Cemeteries of the Village series, today we explore one former cemetery site in NoHo and one just north of the NoHo corridor, both … Continued
Julys Past From Our Historic Image Archive
Our Historic Image Archive provides a snapshot of our neighborhood’s past. From summers on the piers to drag shows at the Pyramid Club and an important archeological dig, you can … Continued
Hot Dog History in the Village Preservation Historic Image Archive
July is National Hot Dog Month (as designated by the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council) and we have a few savory slices of NYC hot dog history in our … Continued
Meet the Interns — Summer 2022 Edition
Village Preservation’s team is a strong one – we’re lucky to have a group of interns who are looking to gain experience in historic preservation in a non-profit environment. Internships … Continued
LGBTQ+ Pride Through The Decades
Our Historic Image Archive includes thousands of photos documenting the people and architecture of the Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo, as well as New York City, from the … Continued
Celebrating Flag Day!
Flag Day is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress: “Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be … Continued
The First Ever Village Awards!
1991 was a memorable year. The Cold War ended as the Soviet Union collapsed. The Gulf War was waged. We watched Murphy Brown and slow danced to Bryan Adams. And … Continued
2022 Village Awardee: Razom for Ukraine, 140 2nd Avenue
Each year, Village Preservation honors the invaluable people, businesses, and organizations that make a special contribution to our neighborhoods at our Annual Meeting and Village Awards. This year, on June 14, … Continued
2022 Village Awardee: Astor Place Hair Stylists, 2 Astor Place
Each year, Village Preservation honors the invaluable people, businesses, and organizations that make a special contribution to our neighborhoods at our Annual Meeting and Village Awards. This year, on June 14th, … Continued
East Village Building Blocks Tour: African American History
People of African descent have lived in the area now known as the East Village since the mid-17th century, when semi-freed African slaves of the Dutch West India Company in … Continued
Nikola Tesla: Retracing the Visionary’s Lost Legacy in Our Neighborhoods
Arguably the most important “father of electricity,” Nikola Tesla spent 13 years developing some of his most famous inventions critical to the future of electricity in laboratories located in Greenwich … Continued
Picturing the World Trade Center
The twin towers of the World Trade Center dominated the New York City skyline for almost thirty years, from their grand opening on April 4, 1973, until their destruction on … Continued
The Irish Emigrant Aid Society’s Greenwich Village Roots
On March 22, 1841, the Irish Emigrant Aid Society was established “to afford advice, information, aid and protection to emigrants from Ireland and generally to promote their welfare.” The Society … Continued
Suffragists of Greenwich Village
“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” Following decades … Continued
Suffragists of the East Village
“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” Following decades … Continued
Charles Lindbergh & The Village
Charles August Lindbergh was born on February 4, 1902, in Detroit, Michigan to a Swedish immigrant and U.S. Congressman of the same name and chemistry teacher Evangeline Lodge Land Lindbergh. … Continued
National Cheese Lover’s Day
National Cheeselovers Day is celebrated on January 20th each year. Not to be confused with National Cheese Day (celebrated on June 4) or National Wine and Cheese Day (celebrated on July … Continued
Welcome to Our 2022 Interns!
Village Preservation’s team is a strong one – we’re lucky to have a group of interns who are looking to gain experience in historic preservation in a non-profit environment. Internships … Continued
Handouts to Big Real Estate, and a Festivus for the Rest of Us!
This holiday of Festivus was developed as an alternative to the commercialization of the Christmas season and is celebrated annually on December 23rd. First celebrated in the mid-1960s by author … Continued
Small Business, Big History: Tudor Rose Antiques
Tudor Rose Antiques has been part of the fabric of Greenwich Village since 1978. The shop specializes in antique sterling silver decorative items and fine jewelry, and is a great … Continued
Celebrate National Espresso Day Locally
Espresso is a brewing method many of us take for granted, but which is a relatively recent invention in the history of coffee. We can trace espresso back to an … Continued
David Amram: Artist, Composer, and Beloved Villager
David Werner Amram III is an American composer, arranger, and conductor of orchestral, chamber, and choral works, many with jazz flavorings. He plays piano, French horn, Spanish guitar, and pennywhistle, sings, and is passionate about teaching music … Continued
Eat Vegan and Support Local Businesses!
No matter where you are in Greenwich Village, NoHo, or the East Village, you are within walking (or ordering) distance of a wide range of culinary options. There are dozens … Continued
Celebrating World Pasta Day
Not to be confused with National Pasta Day on October 17th, World Pasta Day was established on October 25th, 1995 by forty pasta producers from around the world gathered at … Continued
Meet the Interns, Fall 2021
Village Preservation’s team is a strong one – we’re lucky to have a group of interns who are looking to gain experience in historic preservation in a non-profit environment. Internships … Continued
The Northern Dispensary and God’s Love We Deliver
For decades, the Northern Dispensary on Grove Street and Waverly Place has sat vacant. A deed restriction requires the building to serve the poor and infirm, limiting possible uses and … Continued
Announcing the Arthur A. Levin Internship
Art Levin has been a valued member of the Board of Trustees since 1998, and served as President of the Board from 2011 to 2021 — the longest tenure of … Continued
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage
Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans, runs from September 15th through October 15th. There is a reason for this oddly scheduled … Continued
9/11 In Memoriam — Jimmy Quinn
To mark the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, Village Preservation has assembled about 900 donated images documenting the World Trade Center, the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and the days and weeks … Continued
9/11 In Memoriam — Sonny DeLuccy
To mark the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, Village Preservation has assembled about 900 donated images documenting the World Trade Center, the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and the days and weeks … Continued
9/11 In Memoriam — Point Thank You
In honor of the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, Village Preservation has assembled over 500 donated images documenting the World Trade Center, the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and the days and … Continued
NYU vs. the East Village
On East 12th Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues, the entrance to a 26-story dorm, designed to house 700 NYU students, sits “discreetly” behind a disembodied 1847 church tower. Neither … Continued
Can East River Park’s Historic Buildings Be Saved?
John V. Lindsay East River Park is a 57+ acre park that stretches along the East River waterfront from Montgomery Street north to East 12th Street. With the pending closure … Continued
#SouthofUnionSquare — Grove Press Tour
Our South of Union Square map offers an interactive look into this area of Greenwich Village and the East Village that is so rich in history, but also so lacking … Continued
Downtown Drag + Performance in the 1990s — the Jillian Jonas Collection
The Village Preservation Image Archive highlights the history of the people and built environment of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo, as well as New York City in general. … Continued
Cafe Wha & The Fugs
Legendary Village Voice photographer Fred W. McDarrah captured so much about life in New York, and especially downtown, in the latter half of the 20th century. One of many examples: … Continued
127, 129, and 131 MacDougal Street: Architecture, Artists, African Americans, and “Alternative Lifestyles”
On June 8th, 2004, 127, 129, and 131 MacDougal Street, three 1829 Federal Style houses, were landmarked — the first three of thirteen Village Preservation and the NY Landmarks Conservancy jointly proposed and campaigned for landmark … Continued
2021 Village Awardee: Casa Magazines, 22 Eighth Avenue
It’s that time of year again…time for Village Preservation’s Annual Meeting and Village Awards! The Village Awards recognize and honor some of the businesses, organizations, and institutions that make our … Continued
Beyond the Village and Back: Federal Hall, 26 Wall Street
Federal Hall at 26 Wall Street is one of New York City’s — and the nation’s — most historic locations. Known as the “Birthplace of American Government,” it’s the site where George Washington took the oath of office as our first President. It was also the site of the first Congress, Supreme Court, and Executive Branch offices.
Meet the Interns, Spring 2021!
Village Preservation’s team is a strong one – we’re lucky to have a group of interns who are here to gain experience in historic preservation in a non-profit environment. Internships … Continued
Bernard Malamud: Evocative Novelist, and Villager
Novelist Bernard Malamud is considered by many critics to be one of the finest American novelists of the 20th century. Born on April 26, 1914, in Brooklyn to a poor Russian … Continued
Business of the Month: Caravan of Dreams, 405 East 6th Street
Caravan of Dreams, an organic and vegan restaurant located on East 6th Street between 1st Avenue and Avenue A, was founded by Spanish ex-pat Angel Moreno in October 1991.
Gen. George Washington Establishes HQ at Richmond Hill, April, 1776
Richmond Hill was a Colonial estate built on a 26-acre parcel of the “King’s Farm” in 1767 by Major Abraham Mortier, paymaster of the British army in the colony. Located … Continued
Back from the Edge: the Preservation Success Story at 43 MacDougal Street
43 MacDougal Street, a landmarked 1846 Greek Revival townhouse, sat vacant for decades in the 1990s and 2000s, a thorn in the side of the neighborhood and Village Preservation. Years … Continued