The Fun (and Facts) in Fire Insurance Maps
Finding windows into the past allows us to properly document the history of our neighborhoods here in New York City. The fire insurance maps of the late 19th and early … Continued
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Author: Sarah Eccles
Mannahatta: Exploring “Our Good Home”
We have previously looked at the Lenape legacy in our area, including the native trails the Dutch and English followed, and the myths of Minetta Creek. This is if course … Continued
Birth Control as Health Care: The Legacy of the International Workers Order #SouthOfUnionSquare
Though forms of birth control existed long before the introduction of “the pill” in 1960, most women often did not have easy access to it. In the early 20th century, … Continued
A Woman Can Keep a Home and Build It
According to the Congressional Joint Economic Committee, only 14% of engineers in the United States are women. In 2022, though the number of women in S.T.E.M (science, technology, engineering, and … Continued
Socialists, Communists, and Revolutionaries on Fifth Avenue #SouthOfUnionSquare
New York’s Fifth Avenue rarely conjures up images of radicals or revolutionaries; it’s more commonly associated with high-end shopping, well-heeled cultural institutions, and corporate headquarters. But cross 14th Street, and … Continued
The Oldest Building South of Union Square
Village Preservation’s proposed South of Union Square Historic District was named one of the “Seven to Save” by the Preservation League of NY State for 2022-2023. The area is full … Continued
Our Dutch Legacy, Four Hundred Years Later
On May 4th, 1626, Dutch Explorer Peter Minuit landed on the island known to its indigenous population as Manahatta, orchestrating what has often been referred to as the “purchase” of … Continued
The Long Road To Our Landmarks Law
On April 19, 1965, New York City passed its landmarks law. While credit for passage of this law is often attributed to the demolition of Penn Station, the tragic loss … Continued
The Gilded Village: Where Two Thirds of the Population Lived
Our Gilded Age blog posts have previously looked into some of the major stores and influential people of the era in our neighborhoods South of Union Square. This period, from … Continued
The Designers Behind the Architecture South of Union Square
The Historic District South of Union proposed by Village Preservation has many amazing buildings designed by great architects of the 19th and 20th centuries. We have previously (and extensively) highlighted … Continued
‘In America, They Don’t Let You Burn’: The Legacy of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
Anna Gullo, a survivor of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, believed, “In America, they don’t let you burn.” But the tragic events of March 25, 1911 proved her wrong. So … Continued
Catholic Churches: Anchor of New York’s 19th Century Irish Community
Irish Catholic immigrants to New York were one of the earliest and largest major immigrant groups to our city, outside of the Protestant immigrants from the United Kingdom who were … Continued
Preserving the Past is Female!
Historic Preservation is a field where we seek to preserve communities and history through the built environment. The field requires knowledge of architecture, planning, law, and culture, among other areas. … Continued
“Hidden Figures” #SouthOfUnionSquare: The Unsung Female Engineers Who Built Some of NYC’s Greatest Landmarks
The unprotected area South of Union Square for which we are seeking landmark status has no shortage of trailblazers in the arts and architecture, in commerce, and those who fought … Continued
“Beyond the Village and Back” Takes Us #SouthOfUnionSquare
Village Preservation recently unveiled our interactive Beyond the Village and Back Maps, the latest in our series of maps that tell the story of our neighborhood. With so many entries, … Continued
Robert Fisch Collection: Windows To The Past On The Side Of A Building
Our historic image archive is full of thousands of images that give us unique insights into New York City life. Recent additions show drag performances in the 1990s, the HighLine … Continued
35 East 12th Street: A Home for the National Negro Congress
As we continue to research the area south of Union Square, we uncover more incredibly important history along these streets. One example is the longtime presence of the National Negro … Continued
Andrew Carnegie’s Legacy at Seventh Ave So. and Leroy Street
The Hudson Park Library, which opened on January 24, 1906, is one of Manhattan’s twenty remaining Carnegie libraries. This red brick structure was designed by the renowned architectural firm of … Continued
19th Century Irish Immigrant Community Building #SouthOfUnionSquare
As we continue to research the historically and architecturally significant area South of Union Square, we uncover more important history that unfolded in the area every day. Recently, we discovered … Continued
Fourteenth Street and Fifth Avenue: A Window into the Development of the City
We have previously researched the Dutch ownership of the lands within the area south of Union Square, land that was originally home to the native Lenape people. The Dutch took … Continued
Renwick Row: Decorating 19th Century Architecture
Often times we don’t know the source of holiday traditions, we just do them, like how we hang mistletoe, or hide a pickle on a Christmas tree. But the Christmas … Continued
Anna Sokolow: Dancer, Immigrant, Labor Activist #SouthOfUnionSquare
The inspirational and unforgettable Anna Sokolow (February 9, 1910 – March 29, 2000) danced with the Martha Graham Dance Company at 64-66 Fifth Avenue between 1930 and 1939 before going … Continued
Terrance McNally Offers Wonderful Window Into The Rich History #SouthOfUnionSquare
The trailblazing playwright and author Terrance McNally lived for decades with his husband Tom Kirdahy at 29 East 9th Street in the area of Greenwich Village South of Union Square … Continued
Redlining and Our Neighborhoods
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) was created by the National Housing Act of 1934. Its purpose was to, among other things, help support investment and homeownership as a means of … Continued
Curious George’s Brave Escape to Greenwich Village
The story of Curious George is so much more than that of one of the most popular children’s books since the 1940s. It’s also the story of a couple who … Continued
Washington Square Park, Once the Land of the Lenape
Today we’re highlighting the rich Indigenous history of our neighborhood. This is crucial both to understand and respect the full history of the land we live on, and to recognize … Continued
The Lenape Myths that Explain Their Land: Minetta Creek
Minetta Creek, which ran through what is today Greenwich Village, drew the Native American Lenape to its fertile lands. The Lenape cared for this land, and their myths and legends … Continued
#SouthofUnionSquare: Pre-Civil War Buildings
Our research on the area south of Union Square has revealed treasure troves of rich architecture and history connected to the film, the labor movement, and the arts, among many … Continued
Architecture #SouthOfUnionSquare: the German-American Legacy
October, which is German-American Heritage Month, celebrates the contributions Germans and German-Americans have made to American history and culture. In the late 19th century, the largest German-speaking community in the … Continued
L-Shape Construction and the Power of Hold Outs: South of Union Square
We have spent a good deal of time highlighting the cultural history of the area South of Union Square, including its critical role in the African American, LGBTQ+, and women’s … Continued
Greenwich Village in the 1930s and Today
What was Greenwich Village like in the 1930s? Well, it might surprise you that not that much has changed in some regards, at least in relation to neighborhood landmarks, except … Continued
9/11: The Days After — Marjorie Zien Collection
In honor of the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, Village Preservation has assembled nearly 1,000 donated images documenting the World Trade Center, the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and the days and … Continued
What’s Lost in a Name: The Bowery and the Lost Mohican Trail
Typically our “What’s in a Name?” series looks into the name of a building or a place and what’s behind the name as we know it. But today we are … Continued
What’s In A Name?: Wanamaker Place and the Nearly Forgotten Son
Our “What’s In A Name?” series looks at the names behind buildings, streets, parks, or other locations in our neighborhoods which hold more meaning than we may realize. Many assume … Continued
St. Mark’s Place: How Cows Changed its Reputation
St. Mark’s Place, named after the Church of St. Mark’s in the Bowery, is typically known for its other religious calling — rock n’ roll. The street was at the … Continued
Fifth Avenue’s Streetscape Still Standing Since 1911
The traditional tale of New York City’s zoning code tells us that the 40-story Equitable Building, constructed in 1915 with no setbacks, was responsible for the 1916 Zoning resolution. However, … Continued
The Female Trailblazer Who Helped Build New York’s Landmarks #SouthOfUnionSquare
The unprotected area South of Union Square has no shortage of trailblazers in the arts and architecture, in commerce, and in the arena of equality or advancement for women. But … Continued
What’s In a Name?: Pear Tree Place, 105 Third Avenue
Our “What’s In A Name?” series looks at the names behind buildings, streets, parks, or other locations in our neighborhoods which hold more meaning than we may realize. In the … Continued
Where Hollywood Began: 80 Fifth Avenue, #SouthOfUnionSquare
Today, the film industry brings one city to mind: Hollywood. But prior to 1915, when films were just gaining possibility and popularity in the United States, New York City was … Continued
What’s In a Name?: The Petersfield, 113-119 Fourth Avenue
Our “What’s In A Name?” series looks at the names behind buildings, streets, parks, or other locations in our neighborhoods which hold more meaning than we may realize. 113-119 Fourth … Continued
#SouthofUnionSquare — Irish History Tour
Our South of Union Square map offers an interactive look into this area of Greenwich Village and the East Village which is so rich in history but also so lacking … Continued
The African Grove Theater — Black Theater’s Beginnings in Our Neighborhood
In the early 19th century, Greenwich Village was rich with different cultures and ethnicities. As slavery in New York would not be outlawed until 1827, the area had a mixture … Continued
The Empress of Blues, South of Union Square
Nicknamed “The Empress of Blues,” Bessie Smith was one of the most popular female blues singers of the 1920s and 30s. She influenced many vocalists who followed her, from Janis … Continued
Fighting for Civil Rights at 80 Fifth Avenue
For its entire existence over twenty years, the International Worker’s Order’s (IWO) New York City headquarters was located at 80 Fifth Avenue. 80 Fifth Avenue, at 14th Street, is located … Continued