East Village Nightlife: A Home for Drag and DIY Performance
On August 7, 1994, drag queens took the stage at Boy Bar (15 St. Marks Place) to partake in a show titled “It’s a Mod Mod World”. Through the Jillian … Continued
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Category: People
Early Connections to the Disability Rights Movement in the East Village
Three of the earliest sites connected to our nation’s long disability rights movement are situated within a few short blocks of each other in the East Village. Beginning in 1863, … 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
More Art History Revealed at 8 West 13th Street
It’s sometimes almost incredible to think about the sheer volume of artistic talent that has been located in our neighborhoods of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. It’s perhaps … Continued
Where Art History Was Made on West 13th Street
Village Preservation has been diligently documenting the rich history of visual artists who lived and worked within our proposed South of Union Square Historic District. Many of the globally significant … Continued
LGBTQ+ History in the Image Archive: Utilizing the New Tag Feature
A new and exciting feature of Village Preservation’s sizable Historic Image Archive is the ability to filter images by category, or “tag.” We have painstakingly tagged every single one of … Continued
Whitman in the Village: The Poet’s Third Space
Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo sit at the heart of New York’s LGBTQ+ history and culture, which as some might be surprised to hear, stretches back to the … 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
W.H. Auden: Immigrant Poet Turned East Villager
Wystan Hugh Auden, one of the most significant poets of the 20th century, was born in York, England, in 1907. His early career and works were deeply rooted in the … Continued
Black American History Revealed at Endangered House on West 13th Street
Village Preservation has been actively campaigning to designate 50 West 13th Street as an individual landmark since 2020, when it was still home to the 13th Street Repertory Company. Unfortunately, … Continued
31 Literary Icons of the Greenwich Village Historic District
Greenwich Village, specifically the historic district at its core, has been described as many things, but “literary” may be among the most common. That’s not only because the neighborhood has an … Continued
Celebrating the Landmarks of Immigration in the Greenwich Village Historic District
April is both the time of year when immigrant heritage week is celebrated in New York (commemorating the day in 1907 when more immigrants passed through Ellis Island than any … Continued
The Remarkable History of St. Luke’s Place
The Greenwich Village Historic District landmark designation report eloquently captures the essence of St. Luke’s Place: “Looking into this tree-lined street, our senses revel in the peace and beauty of … Continued
Crystal Eastman, Greenwich Village’s Suffragist Lawyer
From the domestic sphere to politics, Crystal Eastman challenged many fundamental elements of women’s roles in early twentieth century American culture. She was a trained lawyer, outspoken pacifist, fair labor … Continued
Spring Inspires Poetry in Greenwich Village
“For two weeks or more the trees hesitated;the little leaves waited,carefully indicating their characteristics.” — Excerpt from the poem “A Cold Spring” by Elizabeth Bishop, who lived at 16 Charles … Continued
Elizabeth Gurley Flynn: Labor Activist and ‘Rebel Girl’ of the Village
It is no surprise that social movements for workers’ rights and freedom of speech were propelled by activists from Greenwich Village. The neighborhood in the early twentieth century was a … Continued
Jonathan Ned Katz Oral History: LGBTQ Historian, Painter and Pioneer
Village Preservation shares our oral history collection with the public, highlighting some of the people and stories that make Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo such unique and vibrant neighborhoods. Each … Continued
Carol Greitzer: Helping Defeat Tammany Hall & Saving Greenwich Village
This is one of a series of blog posts which highlights the information found in our Village Independent Democrats collection, added to our Preservation History Archive in early 2024. Carol Greitzer is a politician, … Continued
Ida Rauh: A Pioneer at the Crossection of American Theater and Civil Rights
March is Women’s History Month, and while we celebrate women’s history all year, we do so especially during this particular month when we highlight the countless women of our neighborhoods … Continued
Celebrating Even More Women Artists #SouthOfUnionSquare
This is the latest installation of “South of Union Square, the Birthplace of American Modernism,” a series that explores how the area south of Union Square shaped some of the … 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 … 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
Carole King’s Greenwich Village Connections
The 2024 Grammy Awards set a new record for female artists: women won all nine of the top telecast categories. This incredible milestone in music could never have been reached … Continued
Exploring Virtual Village Voices, Part 4: Bob Dylan, Martha Graham, and Lorraine Hansberry
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 2: Basquiat, Blackwell, and Brown
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
Woman Crush Wednesday: Edith Wharton’s Greenwich Village
Edith Wharton (January 24, 1862- August 11, 1937) was born into a family who was, at the time, considered to be the epitome of “Old New York,” — the New … Continued
Alice Paul: An Architect of the 19th Amendment
Alice Paul was the architect of some of the most outstanding political achievements on behalf of women in the 20th century. One of the foremost leaders of the twentieth-century women’s … Continued
Lee Krasner Paints Gansevoort Street
Although she is best known for her Abstract Expressionist paintings, Lee Krasner never ceased to transform her artistic style throughout her career. Born in 1908 to Russian Jewish parents, Krasner … 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
Women Crush Wednesday: The Poets
April is National Poetry Month! Launched by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, the month of April marks a marvelous opportunity to celebrate the expressiveness, delight, and pure charm … Continued
The Folk Music Revival Scene: A South Village Tour
December is South Village Month – join us in celebrating this vibrant neighborhood all month long! The South Village in the 50s and 60s was a hotbed of creativity and activism. Where … Continued
Kerouac and Catholicism in Greenwich Village
“…really a story about two Catholic buddies roaming the country in search of God.” So said Jack Kerouac about his book, “On the Road,” soon after it was published in … Continued
Unveiling the Women of Provincetown Playhouse: Beacons of Artistic Innovation in Greenwich Village
In the heart of Greenwich Village, a historic theater emerged as a cradle of creativity and a crucible for groundbreaking theatrical experiments—the Provincetown Playhouse. Established in 1915 in Provincetown, Massachusetts … Continued
Celebrating the Long Life of our Business of the Month Initiative
We launched our Business of the Month program on November 13, 2014. Thanks to all of you who have nominated businesses through the years, we have surpassed 100 honorees. Help … Continued
Retracing the Stories and Homes of Early Village Preservationists
By the time the demolition of McKim, Mead & White’s monumental Penn Station commenced on October 28th, 1963, advocates had been fighting to save the Beaux Arts building for several … Continued
The Mayor from, and of, the South Village: Fiorello LaGuardia
Fiorello (Italian for ‘Little Flower’) LaGuardia is remembered today as one of New York City’s greatest mayors. A progressive who guided New Yorkers through the Depression and World War II, he was the first Mayor to serve three terms, and the first of either Italian or Jewish descent. It was LaGuardia’s achievements as mayor, and his birth in the South Village, that prompted the Friends of LaGuardia to commemorate LaGuardia with a statue on October 19, 1994.
Hidden in Plain Sight: Named Buildings Edition
This is the first entry in our new blog series, “Hidden in Plain Sight,” which highlights the many architectural curiosities and unique features found on buildings throughout our neighborhoods — … Continued
The Artists of the Greenwich Village Historic District
Greenwich Village has long been a mecca for artists and artistic endeavors. For over a century and a half, the neighborhood has fostered creative energy thanks in part to its … Continued
Edwin Fancher, Co-Founder of The Village Voice
Edwin Fancher (August 29, 1923 – September 29, 2023) was a co-founder and part-owner of The Village Voice, along with partners Dan Wolf and Norman Mailer, from the 1950s until … Continued
Hip-Hop’s 2nd Birthplace, Part 6: Fab 5 Freddy
Hip Hop at 50This is the sixth 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
Dorothy Canning Miller: Champion of Abstract Expressionism
”Congratulations, Dorothy, you’ve done it again. They all hate it.” So said Alfred H. Barr Jr., the first director of the Museum of Modern Art, to Dorothy Canning Miller, its … Continued
Before Baldwin: The Writings of Richard Bruce Nugent
The African American literary critic and professor Henry Louis Gates once stated that the Harlem Renaissance was “surely as gay as it was Black, not that it was exclusively either … Continued
A Life Devoted to Greenwich Village Street Scenes: The Paintings of Alfred Mira
The painter Alfred Mira (1900 – 1981) was born into an Italian immigrant family and grew up Greenwich Village. His father worked as a carpenter, but young Mira had dreams … Continued
Ken Had a Dreamhouse, Too — In Greenwich Village
The recent renaissance of all things Barbie, engendered by the blockbuster film by Villager Greta Gerwig and her partner and co-writer, Noah Baumbach, caused us to wonder: of all the … Continued
Alfonso Ossorio: Artist, Collector, Congregator
Alfonso Angel Yangco Ossorio was a Filipino-American Greenwich Village-based artist and collector with a quasi-religious devotion to the art world. An intense, synthesizing artist in his own right, Ossorio created … Continued
Hip Hop’s 2nd Birthplace, Part 2: NoHo Edition
Hip Hop at 50This is the second in a series of posts that celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Birth of Hip Hop. Our exploration takes us to the seminal … Continued
The Founding Sisters of the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum
The Smithsonian Institution is a treasured facet of American culture, founded by the U.S. government on August 10, 1846 “for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” The Smithsonian is the … Continued
Hip Hop’s 2nd Birthplace: Greenwich Village & the East Village
Hip Hop at 50This is the first in a series of posts that celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Birth of Hip Hop. Our exploration takes us to the seminal … Continued
59 Fifth Avenue and a Century of Philanthropic and Cultural Leaders in NYC
On July 28, 2020, Village Preservation sent a long and comprehensive letter to Sarah Carroll, chair of the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission, asking the agency to preserve historic 59 Fifth … Continued
Alfred Leslie: Abstraction, the Beats, & Eternal Transformation #SouthOfUnionSquare
“Working as an artist on the Lower East Side in the late Forties and early Fifties wasn’t always easy, as Alfred Leslie can tell you. He once received a visit … Continued
Jean Shepherd: Village Raconteur
Jean Shepherd (July 26, 1921 – October 16, 1999) is probably best known as the voice of the beloved and relatively new holiday classic, A Christmas Story. But he was … Continued
Tony Bennett’s Greenwich Village Start
Tony Bennett (August 3, 1926 – July 21, 2023) was one of the most beloved jazz musicians of all time. Armed with a set of golden pipes and an even … Continued
Revealing LGBTQ+ History on Spring Street
Village Preservation has long paid tribute to the widespread impacts players in our neighborhoods of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo have had on the civil rights and social … Continued
Berenice Abbott’s Changing New York
“The camera alone can catchthe swift surfaces of thecities today and speaks alanguage intelligible to all.” Berenice Abbott The work of Greenwich Village photographer Berenice Abbott (July 17, 1898-December 9, … Continued
Connie Converse: The Enigma and Mystery of the Original Singer Songwriter
Connie Converse was arguably the first modern singer-songwriter, writing and playing intimate songs on her acoustic guitar in the mid-1950s, before Bob Dylan ever arrived in Greenwich Village. But her … Continued
Yayoi Kusama’s Infinite Influence
Many of the most revered artists of the past century were profoundly impacted by their time in and around our neighborhoods. Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama has risen above even those … Continued
José García Villa: Poet and “Pope of Greenwich Village”
The cultural and artistic ecosystem of Greenwich Village has provided us with no shortage of literary giants to admire, study, and honor. Prominent among them, yet hardly ever mentioned in … Continued
Carol Janeway: Ceramicist and Fierce Village Advocate
It is a well-known and celebrated fact that countless visual artists have lived and worked in Greenwich Village over the years. These talented individuals have made the neighborhood their home, … Continued
La MaMa ETC to Receive Village Preservation’s Coveted Regina Kellerman Award
Each year at our Annual Meeting and Village Awards ceremony, Village Preservation presents one unique award: the Regina Kellerman Award, named in honor of Village Preservation’s first Executive Director. Regina … Continued
Strange Fruit at Cafe Society, Once Again: The Dances of Pearl Primus
The dance performance of “Strange Fruit” portrays the emotional journey of a white woman as she reacts in horror to the sight of lynching she witnessed and participated in. This … Continued
Riccardo Spina Image Collection — A Window Back to Greenwich Village a Half Century Ago
One of the delights of working in the field of historic preservation is getting to regularly dig into old image archives, where unique, wonderful, and fleeting glimpses into the past … Continued
The East Village, (Em)Powered: Part Two
This special two-part post explores the legacy of the energy pioneers who constructed solar collectors and a windmill at 519 East Eleventh Street. In the first installment we explored the … Continued
The Village, through the lyrics of Taylor Swift
At the age of 24, after spending a decade building her music career in Nashville, Tennessee, Taylor Swift moved to New York City. Like so many artists before her, Swift … Continued
The East Village, (Em)Powered: Part One
This special two-part post explores the legacy of the energy pioneers who constructed solar collectors and a windmill at 519 East Eleventh Street. In the first installment we will explore … Continued
Ai Weiwei and The Two East Villages: Part Two
This special two-part series explores Ai Weiwei’s experiences in two different East Villages — one in New York and the other in Beijing — both of which were hubs of … Continued
Pete Seeger: Folk Icon and Champion of Working People
Pete Seeger: born on the Lower East Side on May 3, 1919.
Ai Weiwei and The Two East Villages: Part One
This special two-part series explores Ai Weiwei’s experiences in two different East Villages — one in New York and the other in Beijing — both of which were hubs of … Continued
Diane Burns: Native American Poet, East Village Prophet
Native American poet Diane Burns was a luminous, integral fixture of the Downtown arts scene beginning in the 1970s until her death in 2006. Her poetic body of work contains … Continued
The East Village’s ‘Queen of Bohemia:” Zoe Anderson Norris
If you’re ever on the Upper East Side or just strolling through Central Park and looking to immerse yourself in some literary history, the Grolier Club is the perfect place for that. The Grolier Club’s exhibitions are free to all visitors, making it an accessible space for bibliophiles or anyone itching to check out how literary history has evolved over time.
Jazz and Jewelry: The Life of Art Smith
Art Smith was an influential American jewelry designer who gained popularity in the mid-20th century for his bold and abstract designs. At his studio in Greenwich Village, Smith created unique … Continued
Immigrant Heritage Week: The Importance of Preserving Immigrant History in Our Neighborhoods
Immigrant Heritage Week was established in 2004 and is coordinated by the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs as a city-wide celebration that honors the experiences and contributions of immigrants in New York City. The … Continued
Remembering A Village Icon: Otis Kidwell Burger
There were many facets to the extraordinary life of Otis Kidwell Burger. A West Village native, her experiences in the early preservation battles of our neighborhood were a part of … Continued
Lewis Morris Rutherfurd: The Stargazer on Second Avenue
Lewis Morris Rutherfurd (November 25, 1816 – May 30, 1892) was born in Morrisania, New York to a family who was already a familiar presence in American political history. His … Continued
Women Crush Wednesday: The Poets
April is National Poetry Month! Launched by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, the month of April marks a marvelous opportunity to celebrate the expressiveness, delight, and pure charm … Continued
The Painters of 108 through 114 Waverly Place
108, 110, 112, and 114 Waverly Place are a curious collection of houses. They are all that remain of nine houses built in 1826 for city comptroller Thomas R. Mercein. … Continued
Jimmy DeSana: Sexuality and Subversion
Jimmy DeSana was a photographer known for his provocative and experimental work during the late 1970s and early 1980s. His unique style of photography captured the raw and rebellious energy … Continued
Ada Louise Huxtable: Democratizing Architectural Discourse in Greenwich Village and Beyond
Ada Louise Huxtable (March 14, 1921 – January 7, 2013) was arguably the most formidable critical voice regarding architecture of the second half of the 20th century. Huxtable, who became the … Continued
#SouthOfUnionSquare, the Birthplace of American Modernism: Celebrating Women’s History Month
“South of Union Square, the Birthplace of American Modernism” is a series that explores how the area south of Union Square shaped some of the most influential American artists of … Continued
How Greenwich Village Helped Save Harry Belafonte
In 1951, Harry Belafonte decided he was finished with singing. For the past few years, he had been taking acting classes at the Dramatic Workshop of The New School with … Continued
Jessie Redmon Fauset: The Unsung Heroine of the Harlem Renaissance
The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) was housed in our neighborhoods for decades, first in the 12-story Beaux Arts style office building at 70 Fifth Avenue … Continued
Welcome Aboard, Maya Wilson!
Today we welcome aboard at Village Preservation Maya Wilson (pronouns: she/her) as our new Programs Associate. Maya has been an intern with Village Preservation since June of 2022, and has … Continued
Joan Mitchell’s Village
Joan Mitchell (February 12, 1925 – October 30, 1992) is one of the most well-known New York Abstract Expressionist painters. Born and raised in Chicago, Mitchell moved to New York … Continued
Berenice Abbott’s Greenwich Village
It is your job to make photographs,let the future look at them. —Berenice Abbott, 1936 Photographer Berenice Abbott (1898-1991) first arrived in Greenwich Village from her native Ohio in 1918. … Continued
“The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window” and Lorraine Hansberry’s 1960s Greenwich Village
Many of us may daydream about being transported back to the bohemian Greenwich Village of the 1960s. Beyond our own imaginations, one particularly effective way to do that is via … Continued
#SouthOfUnionSquare, the Birthplace of American Modernism: Joann Gedney
“South of Union Square, the Birthplace of American Modernism” is a series that explores how the area south of Union Square shaped some of the most influential American artists of … Continued
Nam June Paik: Father of Video Art, and Villager
Nam June Paik (July 20, 1932 – January 29, 2006), Korean artist and avant-garde visionary, is well-known for his pioneering video artistry. Less known, however, is that Paik, dubbed the … Continued
The Storied Collections of Fifty/50 #SouthofUnionSquare
Throughout the second half of the 20th century, the neighborhood South of Union Square was considered the antique furnishing and decorations center of the country. Dozens of such businesses thrived … Continued
#SouthOfUnionSquare, the Birthplace of American Modernism: Sonia Gechtoff
“South of Union Square, the Birthplace of American Modernism” is a series that explores how the area south of Union Square shaped some of the most influential American artists of … Continued
Doris Diether Oral History: Activist and Zoning Maven
Occasionally referred to as the “Grand Dame of Washington Square Park,” Doris Diether (January 10, 1929 — September 16, 2021) was a critical figure in the early preservation battles of … Continued
#SouthOfUnionSquare, the Birthplace of American Modernism: Mabel Dwight
“South of Union Square, the Birthplace of American Modernism” is a series that explores how the area south of Union Square shaped some of the most influential American artists of … Continued
The Life and Work of Edith Lewis
The long-term partnership between Willa Cather and Edith Lewis has been reflected on and written about as a symbol of female empowerment and LGBTQ+ history for years. Today, we reflect … Continued
Tour the Musical Sites of Producer John Hammond’s World
John Hammond Sr. (December 15, 1910 – July 10, 1987) was a talent scout, producer, musicologist, broadcaster, journalist, and mentor. His influence profoundly shaped popular music in the 20th century, … Continued
#SouthOfUnionSquare, the Birthplace of American Modernism: Elizabeth Olds
“South of Union Square, the Birthplace of American Modernism” is a series that explores how the area south of Union Square shaped some of the most influential American artists of … Continued
#SouthOfUnionSquare, the Birthplace of American Modernism: Peggy Bacon
“South of Union Square, the Birthplace of American Modernism” is a series that explores how the area south of Union Square shaped some of the most influential American artists of … Continued
Thankful for Greenwich House
On Thanksgiving Day, 1902, Greenwich House opened its doors at 26 Jones Street. Founded by Mary K. Simkhovitch, this settlement house would soon become a pillar of social and cultural enrichment in … Continued
Literary Rebels: Five Banned Book Authors Connected to the Village
Everyone knows our neighborhoods have been home to some of the world’s most celebrated literary icons. However, for some of these icons, their revolutionary writing has been a magnet for … Continued
Franz Kline’s Last Studio at 242 West 14th Street
It is no secret that the New York School Artists were deeply rooted in and influenced by Greenwich Village and its environs. The “Club” at 39 East 8th Street, the … Continued
Aaron Copland and Friends
Aaron Copland (November 14, 1900 – December 2,1990), one of America’s foremost composers, lived in the carriage house at the rear of 9 Charlton Street. Located at the corner of … Continued
Jeannette Rankin: the First Woman Elected to U.S. Congress
Fiercely independent and feverishly devoted, Jeannette Rankin (June 11, 1880 – May 18, 1973) was the first woman to be elected to Congress in 1916, three years before women across … Continued
Walker Evans & Ben Shahn: American Art of the Great Depression in Greenwich Village
When asked about the studio at 20 – 22 Bethune Street in Greenwich Village he shared with Ben Shahn, Walker Evans told the Smithsonian Institution Archives of American Art “This … Continued