As both we and the media have recently reported, two months ago GVSHP requested the landmark designation of a potential historic district on East 11th Street between Third and Fourth Avenues. GVSHP was aware that a developer was planning to move ahead with plans to demolish a significant stretch of this block, which we had long […]
On this day in 1734, Samuel Jones, namesake of Great Jones Street in NoHo, was born in Nassau County. At only two blocks long, Great Jones Street isn’t actually all that ‘great’ – at least not in size. But surprisingly for a street so short, it has figured prominently in New York City history and culture. […]
New York is renowned for its vibrant immigrant history, and the many diverse neighborhoods born out of years of heavy immigration in the 19th and early 20th-centuries. But for all that still exists of famed neighborhoods like Little Italy, the Jewish Lower East Side, or Brooklyn’s Italian Bensonhurst, there are many immigrant enclaves virtually lost […]
Greenwich Village, the East Village and NoHo offer a vast array of architectural styles that span their long histories. Through this series “What Style Is It?” we will explore the architecture of our area and look at the various architectural styles and their features. So far we have looked at the Federal style, Greek Revival and some […]
GVSHP holds events with the Jefferson Market Library and the Jefferson Market Garden several times per year, most recently a members only tour, our program marking the 50th Anniversary of the Sip-In at Julius’ (See photos here and video here), and Contemporary Writers on a Lost Greenwich Village: A discussion with authors Vivian Gornick and Sarah Schulman (see photos […]
Beside the Jefferson Market Library and behind the wrought iron fence between 6th and Greenwich Avenues and 10th Street lies the Jefferson Market Garden. You probably pass by it all the time, and maybe you’ve been inside, but the story of this stretch of green space next to the library is quite fascinating.
Springtime has arrived in our wonderful neighborhoods. Many more people are out and about. Locals and visitors alike enjoy our diverse culture, community history and appreciate a part of the big city where you can see the blue sky instead of towers and the greenery of gardens and trees. Here are two special walking tours we recommend. Our own – free- […]
This year’s Spring House Tour Benefit is right around the corner (this Sunday, actually), and features seven exquisite Village properties. In keeping with the storied history of the Village, the Spring House Tour has a longstanding tradition of including historic properties. This year is no exception, as six of the seven homes are located within our […]
Its been almost two years since the Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewel announced the LGBTQ Heritage Initiative by the National Park Service (NPS) outside the Stonewall Inn. As part of this initiative, a theme study was undertaken to identify significant places and events associated with LGBTQ Americans for the inclusion in the parks and programs […]
This year’s Spring House Tour Benefit is right around the corner and features seven exquisite Village properties. In keeping with the storied history of the Village as an artist’s haven, the Spring House Tour has a longstanding tradition of including artist’s and curators spaces on the tour. This year is no exception, and promises to delight.
That’s the name of Tim McDarrah’s new walking tours. The tours are based on the photographs his late father, Village Voice photojournalist Fred W. McDarrah, took of people and places in the Village starting in the mid-1950s. I joined Tim and a group of 8 others recently for an amazing 90-minute journey through the neighborhood […]
On Friday, July 17, 2015, Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation lead tours around the East Village looking at buildings that made up the German immigrant community in the late 19th and early 20th century. Kleine Deutschland, or “Little Germany” at one point boasted one of the largest German-speaking communities in the world and many […]
It’s summer and the flowers are in bloom! We are so lucky to have so many parks and gardens in Greenwich Village and the East Village, where we can enjoy beautiful flowers, without having to do any of the gardening work. One of my favorites is 2013 Village Award winner Sir Winston Churchill Square. This […]
This past Saturday morning, after a cooling rain shower, a gaggle of curious people went traipsing around a handful of community gardens in the East Village. We visited eight gardens, plus the Wilmer Jennings Gallery, in just two hours, hearing from garden members at each one. Members are the people who actually do the work of […]
Yesterday’s 17th Annual GVSHP Benefit Village House Tour and reception was a smashing success. One of our highest grossing benefits ever, we had incredible weather, spectacular houses, a glorious reception with food and beverages at Ristorante Rafele. We are also incredibly grateful for the wine donated by Frederick Wildman and Sons, incredible support from local businesses […]
The weather forecast for this Sunday is beautiful — 70’s and sunny — the perfect day for a leisurely stroll through some of the most beautiful homes in Greenwich Village, followed by a delightful reception with cocktails and hours d’oeuvres in a stunning space. All while supporting historic preservation, cultural documentation and education, and GVSHP. […]
Okay, everyone, if you’ve been considering joining us for our annual house tour, but haven’t yet purchased tickets,then now is your chance! It’s this Sunday, May 3rd from 1 – 5:30 PM. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind opportunity to see six beautiful homes in Greenwich Village. This is also GVSHP’s biggest annual fundraiser, so […]
We’re just under two weeks away from our annual house tour. We hope you’ll be joining us! Six Village townhouses will be opening their doors to help benefit the work of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation. Tickets can be purchased here. One of the homes on this year’s tour has a special connection […]
We’re excited to announce that individual tickets for our 17th annual house tour are now available for purchase! There are a number of different types; scroll to the bottom of the page to buy individual tickets. As we gear up for the big day on Sunday, May 3rd, we wanted to share some fun bits […]
Though a rare surviving architectural element today, the tearoom (also known as a back porch or tea porch) was an original feature of Greek Revival rowhouses throughout New York City in the 1840s and 1850s. Constructed of wood, tearooms were located at the rear of brick houses and faced the gardens. If you’re familiar with […]
Two weeks ago our friends at Green Guerillas led us on a tour of some remarkable gardens in the East Village. There are more community gardens in the East Village than in any other neighborhood in New York. Each one has a different story to tell, a different look and feel. And each one is […]
This is the latest installment of the Off the Grid series in which we highlight the people, places and events featured in our new book Greenwich Village Stories, available for purchase now. Visit our Facebook page for the latest on book contributors, release events and readings. The West Village has many restaurants, bars, and landmarks to visit, all offering glimpses into […]
Recently, someone contacted us asking about the location of Stuyvesant Alley, which no longer exists. As it turns out, historic maps were able to help shine some light. This long-gone alley could once be found on the block between Second and Third Avenues, and East 11th and 12th Streets not too far away from GVSHP’s […]
OK, Super Bowl has come and gone, the groundhog says six more weeks of winter, and basketball and hockey don’t do it for me. So I’m focused on February 13, when Spring Training for Major League Baseball begins! A few weeks ago I wrote about Bergino Baseball Clubhouse on East 11th Street, and I’ve been […]
We’ve been focusing a lot lately here at Off the Grid on the newly designated South Village Historic District and the designation report that allows us to learn much about the architecture and history of the district. The designation report is a powerful tool, so we thought we would share one of the ways we […]
Today marks the birthday of great Greenwich Village artist and chronicler of everyday life in Lower Manhattan John Sloan, born August 2, 1871. Sloan worked as an painter and illustrator, first in Pennsylvania, and then most notably in New York at the turn of the twentieth century. His work is now highly regarded, and he is considered […]
This evening, our friends at the The Wooden House Project, a blog that explores Brooklyn’s wood-frame houses, will be conducting a walking tour of some interesting wooden houses in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn. I’ll be taking the tour tonight, but thought I would take this opportunity to get in the right frame of mind […]
On the last Sunday of June, since 1970, the New York City LGBT community has celebrated the last day of Pride Week with a march (NOT a parade) that ends its route where the gay-rights movement began, Greenwich Village. By now everyone knows the story of the 1969 Stonewall Riots that happened on Christopher Street […]
Since the first public market opened in the area in 1884, Gansevoort Market — or the Meatpacking District — underwent many changes in building form and use as the area became more commericalized over the decades. Though now associated with high-end boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, Gansevoort Market by the 1980s and 1990s was a collection […]
I am not a native New Yorker, but as a long-time (now former) resident of the South Village, I had the distinct privilege of getting to know many people who had actually spent their entire lives there. Some say that Greenwich Village, unlike most other New York City neighborhoods, really is like a little village […]
Yesterday’s benefit house tour was a tremendous success. The weather was crisp, clear, and beautiful, the homes spectacular, and the reception at Gavin Brown’s Enterprise’s gallery at 620 Greenwich Street, with wine from Mark Trujillo, was a lot of fun. Thank you to everyone who supported the benefit, our intrepid Benefit Committee (especially co-chairs Cassie […]
Warm, sunny days in the Village have us here at GVSHP looking forward to our annual house tour, which takes place this Sunday, May 5th. There’s still time to buy tickets! They can also be purchased the day of the tour at a higher rate. The forecast for Sunday calls for a beautiful day — […]
In just a week and a half, GVSHP will hold our 15th Annual Benefit House Tour. There’s still time to buy tickets to see six beautiful private homes in the Village on Sunday, May 5th. The benefit is our biggest annual fundraiser, and the proceeds help us provide free educational events throughout the year as […]
One of the most exciting parts of the Annual Village House Tour Benefit, taking place this year on Sunday, May 5, is the chance you have of seeing the many twists and turns and unexpected places of the Village. Two years ago, the tour featured a 350-square foot apartment, located within a Coop of five […]
If you haven’t already, be sure to reserve your tickets for GVSHP’s 15th Annual Village House Tour Benefit, our annual fundraiser to support our continuing education and advocacy work. The event will take place on Sunday, May 5th, and on this self-guided tour you’ll gain access to six unique Village homes. Some of the highlights […]
The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation is gearing up for our 15th Annual Village House Tour, a benefit to raise funds in support of GVSHP’s work to educate about and advocate for the distinctive character and irreplaceable architecture of our neighborhoods. Six private homes will be open on this year’s tour and tickets are […]
It was forty five years ago this month that Bill Graham opened the Fillmore East on Second Avenue. Though the venue only existed for a couple of years from 1968 to 1971, the Fillmore East had an outsized impact on the history of music in New York and imagination of those who experienced it and […]
Since 1991, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation has presented awards to members of our community as our way of saying thank you to those individuals, organizations, and businesses that make the Village, East Village, and NoHo such unique and special places. As we have since the awards began in 1991, we invite the […]
We recently highlighted the marvelous illustration work of James Gulliver Hancock as he continues in his attempt to draw all the buildings in New York. This week, we thought we’d take a look at a much earlier attempt at cataloging the city – a great set of illustrations of Broadway from Bowling Green to 59th […]
We had a beautiful day for our 14th annual house tour benefit on Sunday, May 6th! The sun was shining and hundreds of people came out to visit six wonderful Village homes at their own pace. The self-guided tour also included a bonus site: the former studio of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney at the New York […]
It’s not too late to purchase tickets for our Spring House Tour Benefit, taking place this Sunday, May 6th from 1:00 to 5:30 P.M. Your ticket will give you exclusive access to view six remarkable private homes in Greenwich Village, plus the former studio of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney on 8th Street at your own pace […]
On Sunday, May 6, GVSHP will present its 14th Annual Village House Tour, a benefit that raises funds to support our work to educate about and advocate for the preservation of the distinctive character and irreplaceable architecture of our neighborhoods. This year, six homeowners in Greenwich Village will open their doors for the tour.
At their March 27th public meeting, the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated four individual landmarks located in Hudson Square. These new landmarks – 32 Dominick Street, 34 Dominick Street, 36 Dominick Street and 310 Spring Street – are in or just outside the area of the proposed Hudson Square rezoning, about which GVSHP and fellow community […]
Last year, Off the Grid featured a look at some of the Village’s more specialized bookshops, including shops featuring cookbooks, comics, and mystery books. If you didn’t catch it, be sure to take a look. With so many independent bookstores to cover, this time around, we thought we would explore some of the neighborhood’s all-genre […]
Have you ever come across a peculiar street pattern in the city and wondered how it became that way? It’s a topic that’s especially prevalent in the Village, where street development occurred long before the adoption of the Commissioner’s Plan of 1811. As many of our readers know, this plan is what formed the famed […]
A recent inquiry by a researcher looking to document the emerging folk scene in the Village had me looking through the archive of Robert Otter, a photographer who captured the Village’s vibrant and bohemian character from 1960 to 1972. I was happy to spend time looking through these photographs. Indeed, the image “Barefoot in Washington […]
Friends of Eater seem to agree that the West Village was the best dining neighborhood of 2011! Puddin’ by Clio to open on St. Mark’s and serve all pudding based desserts (NY Times) Stumptown to open West 8th Street Location (Eater) The Local East Village looks at the interior and menu of newcomer L’asso (notice […]
The Downtown Piano Queen played at the space of the former Circle in the Square Theater (Bowery Boogie)…and Van Halen played at Cafe Wha! (NY Times) The Thompson Street location of Porto Rico Coffee has closed …. and Atlas Meats is almost completely demolished (Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York) Rents in the Meatpacking District go from […]
After 28 years Polonia, Polish restaurant, closes due to small-business-killing landlords (The Local East Village) PS 64 principal wages dress code war on teachers (DNAinfo) EV Grieve notes many neighborhood closings this week: Mars Bar; Vampire Freaks; Autumn Skateboard Shop; Billy’s Antiques. And notes the upcoming Starbucks at 3rd Street & 1st Avenue Tompkins Square […]
Walking East 7th Street is a collaboration between GVSHP and the students in NYU’s Fall 2011 Intro to Public History course. Each pair of students was tasked with researching the cultural history of one particular block of East 7th Street and sharing with us something fascinating they discovered along the way. All posts in the […]
Walking East 7th Street is a collaboration between GVSHP and the students in NYU’s Fall 2011 Intro to Public History course. Each pair of students was tasked with researching the cultural history of one particular block of East 7th Street and sharing with us something fascinating they discovered along the way. All posts in the […]
Walking East 7th Street is a collaboration between GVSHP and the students in NYU’s Fall 2011 Intro to Public History course. Each pair of students was tasked with researching the cultural history of one particular block of East 7th Street and sharing with us something fascinating they discovered along the way. All posts below were […]
As we enter the final phase of the holiday shopping season we thought we would continue our look at some of the historic retail establishments in our area. Last week we looked at Wanamaker’s huge store and annex near Astor Place. Farther north at Union Square, a major retail presence for decades was the S. […]
In recent years, the East Village on the whole has come to be known for its budding gastronomy scene. One street in particular that has really hit it big in this scene is East 7th Street. With our program tomorrow evening on the social history of East 7th Street, we thought it only made sense […]
Yesterday we explored some of the history of elevated train lines in the Village. Today we’re going to take a quick look at another elevated part of our neighborhood’s history.
This is the latest installment of Off the Grid’s series, “My Favorite Things,” in which we showcase some of our very favorite spots around the neighborhood, highlighting the incredible architecture, history, people, and businesses of the Village, East Village, and NoHo. As the old saying goes, you win some, you lose some. That’s particularly true […]
Gothamist goes inside the vault at Pfaff’s, the 19th century beer cellar turned cocktail loungs….and inside the new Veselka Bowery….and inside Prima, the new East Village seafood-centic cafe/bar First look at the menus of Whitehall, the new West Village, London-inspired restaurant and bar (Grub Street) The New York Times reviews the Bowery’s Saxon & Parole […]
Demolition permits on file for historic 316 East 3rd Street (EV Grieve) New York’s most loathed architect is no stranger to the East Village (NY Post) EV Grieve looks at the collapsed chimney on East 13th Street….and as of yesterday residents were still displaced Billy Leroy, of Billy’s Antiques & Props, misses the Old New […]
image courtesy of Bob Estremera On the market: a loft/antique store hybrid and St. Vincent’s condos (Curbed) Gothamist goes inside the new Greenwich Village Country Club Off-Off Broadway theater, Manhattan Theatre Source, closing….as is 30-year-old jazz cafe, Caffe Vivaldi (Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York)…but you can sign a petition to save Vivaldi! House with the largest […]
Looking back at Gansevoort Plaza (Forgotten NY) MTA misspells “Bleecker Street” (Gothamist) Greenwich Village duplex feels like something more uptown …. a former Today Show host’s Butterfield House penthouse is asking 7M …. and Marc Jacobs exec swaps one Village townhouse for another (Curbed) Gothamist has all your Greenwich Village Halloween Parade pics HERE and […]
Cooper Union may charge tuition (NY Times) Villa Capri condos coming to Avenue C (Curbed) Public Theater renovations boosted by $2 Million donation (NearSay) Zip code 10003 has 169 chain stores! (EV Grieve) Greenwich Village Country Club starts putting on University (WSJ) Director Adria Petty puts EV dream pad on the market (The Local East […]
This past weekend we were caught off guard when Jack Frost paid us a visit before the Great Pumpkin! Wonder what Linus would have made of that? While the weather may be unpredictable one thing that is foreseeable is the irresistible draw we all have for comfort foods as the temperatures drop. Everyone has a […]
Former 13th Street crack house may become housing for homeless LGBT youth (EV Grieve) Cooper Union said no to St. Mark’s Bookshop, but Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York tells you how you can say no back A look back at the demolition that made way for the Avalon Bowery (EV Grieve) Faile complete mural on Bowery […]
Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York has more on disappearing newsstands High Line gets record $20 million gift (DNAinfo) Marc Jacobs exec sells Bank Street townhouse for $7 million (IBT) OWS protests health care system at former St. Vincent’s site (DNAinfo) Who should play Robert Moses in Oliver Stone’s new HBO movie? (Gothamist) NYU plans renovations to […]
Former Harry Chong Chinese Laundry space for rent again (Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York) Epic rooftop spread awaits at $10.5 million West Village house (Curbed) The “chopped out” city from Greenwich Village (Ephemeral New York) Former West Village restaurant properties being converted to retail stores (Fork in the Road)….and on Bleecker Street, Jo Malone and Brush […]
Today Off the Grid ushers in a new series, “My Favorite Things.” In it we will showcase some of our very favorite spots around the neighborhood, highlighting the incredible architecture, history, people, and businesses of the Village, East Village, and NoHo. Let us know what you think! Few places can be said to exemplify the […]
Since 1999, GVSHP’s office has been housed on the second floor of the Neighborhood Preservation Center (NPC) at 232 East 11th Street. The entire building housed the rectory of the adjacent St. Mark’s Church in the Bowery until the lower floors were restored after a fire to house NPC and the top floor reserved for […]
This weekend, tour guide Lawrence Frommer and Fourth Arts Block executive director Tamara Greenfield led a tour of East 4th Street between the Bowery and 2nd Avenue for GVSHP. (Want to hear in advance about GVSHP’s free lecture and tour series? Sign up for our monthly event emails.) The tour provided an overview of Fourth […]
On Sunday, GVSHP held it’s 13th annual House Tour Benefit in Greenwich Village. The sun was shining and the turnout could not have been better. Attendees were able to tour the interiors of seven diverse but equally exquisite homes, ranging from a 350-square-foot carriage house to a large restored Greek Revival/Italianate home. Each dwelling […]
Ever taken refuge in a treehouse in the middle of a bustling New York City neighborhood? Or climbed through a narrow horsewalk into a private, secret courtyard? Or been in the former townhouse of a rock-and-roll legend, or prominent literary figure? This weekend, you can! It’s not too late to purchase tickets for our spring […]
City to Consider East Village Historic District Containing Nearly 300 Buildings (DNA Info) Up Next: House Tour (Manhattan Users Guide) ‘Last’ Mafia hangout now dainty tea shop (NY Post) Piece of NYC Restaurant History Could be Yours for $250 (Eater) Alpha-bite City ((NY Post) Take a Stroll Down Monument Lane (Daily Candy) East 7th Street […]
Tomorrow we’re teaming up with Green Guerillas and the Manhattan Land Trust to host a self-guided walking tour of the East Village’s varied and remarkable community gardens. Today there are over 600 of these in New York City, though the first modern community garden was right here in the East Village. The Liz Christy Community […]
Spring means many wonderful things for Greenwich Village: Wisteria is in full bloom, Washington Square Park is full of life, and during our annual house tour several lucky people get an inside peek at some of the most beautiful and creative homes this side of 14th Street. This year’s tour is on Sunday, May 1st, […]
Each year, in anticipation of our annual house tour, we scour the Village in search of its most interesting, fun, and fascinating residential spaces. Some of the history we’ve uncovered is just too good to wait to reveal, so we’re offering a little sneak peek into one of this year’s beautiful homes.