For Village Preservation members at the $100 level and above.

If you weren’t able to take part in September, join us for this encore presentation of an exclusive insider’s tour of one of New York and Greenwich Village’s great historic landmarks, Jefferson Market Library! Originally built in 1876 as a courthouse by Frederick Clark Withers and Calvert Vaux (co-designer of Central Park) in the Victorian Gothic style along with an adjacent prison and market (since demolished), Jefferson Market Library was voted one of the ten most beautiful buildings in America by an architect’s poll in the 1880s. But by the mid-20th century it was deemed outdated and unfashionable, and almost fell to the wrecking ball after it was largely abandoned by the city.

Reimagined as a public library in 1967, the landmark building has gone through many renovations and reiterations, restoring and reusing spaces previously intended for holding prisoners and hearing court cases as places for learning, gathering, and contemplation. The clocktower, once used as a fire lookout for its sweeping views and then abandoned, has been restored and the clock working again.

Longtime Jefferson Market branch librarian Frank Collerius will lead us on a tour of these remarkable spaces, their history, the changes they have undergone, and their current uses. The tour will culminate in a visit to the rarely-opened Clocktower, where tour goers will be able to take in unrivaled views of Greenwich Village and beyond.

Capacity for the tour is limited, so we strongly encourage you to reserve your spot now while available.

Accessibility Notice: Please note that reaching the top of tower requires climbing nearly 150 narrow winding steps. The staircase is also very dusty. You will be required to sign a waiver before climbing to the top of the tower. Please wear weather appropriate clothing.