We’re proud to share the second installment of our digitized collection of the archives of the Village Independent Democrats, a trailblazing local Democratic Club founded in 1956 perhaps best known for helping to end Tammany Hall control of Democratic politics in Manhattan, shaping progressive political thought and practice in NYC in the late 20th century, fighting Robert Moses and removing traffic from Washington Square, and launching the career of notable NYC politicians including Ed Koch.

In 2023, the club donated its archives to Village Preservation. This second part of the collection, covering 1970-79, highlights its work on issues ranging from opposing the Vietnam War to fighting the proposed Westway project along the Hudson River waterfront, impeaching President Nixon to supporting gay rights. Earlier this year we released Part I of its archive, covering 1955-69, and including the club’s efforts to topple Tammany Hall and close the Women’s House of Detention, among many other issues. 

This is the latest addition to our Neighborhood and Preservation History Archive, which contains digital archives of the West Village Committee, the Association of Village Homeowners, many local pioneers of the preservation movement, and early efforts to preserve and convert the High Line to a public park.