From the northern edge of Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village to 143rd Street in Harlem, Fifth Avenue divides Manhattan. The centerfold of the Manhattan, it is nearly impossible to imagine New York without the seven-mile-long stretch. But, like many Manhattan streets, Fifth Avenue grew out of the original 1811 Commissioner’s Plan grid. Its development […]
New York City, it has been said, is a town of opinionated loudmouths. Maybe so. If that’s the case, our neighborhoods can historically claim a disproportionate number of them. And we’d argue that that’s a good thing and that some of those so-called loudmouths made our world a better place by refusing to bow to […]
A journey through the narrow, winding streets of the Greenwich Village Historic District is a trip through a living museum, an opportunity to explore an area with more than 2,000 buildings preserved across some 65 blocks. Designated in 1969, the district’s rich mix of row houses, tenements, small apartment buildings, and older Federal-, Italianate- and […]
Coffee culture in our neighborhoods during the early 20th century was vibrant and bustling. With numerous coffeehouses and cafes, including the famed Caffe Reggio, the caffeinated beverage was an excuse to gather socially, in addition to being a popular drink to brew at home. Unsurprisingly, the business of coffee was at the time almost exclusively […]
October is always a month of rich programming for us, with autumn in full swing with its cool crisp air and the impending excitement of the holiday season. October 2025 was no exception—in fact, it offered one of the most diverse and engaging programming lineups in recent memory. This month’s mix of lectures, tours, conversations, […]
2025 marks 100 years since Robert Rauschenberg’s birth (October 22, 1925 – May 12, 2008), making this the perfect time to revisit the creative energy and ingenuity he brought to Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. Rauschenberg’s New York journey Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Rauschenberg came to New York in the early 1950s […]
Your input is needed! Today we feature our latest Business of the Month — help us to select the next. Tell us which independent store you love in Greenwich Village, the East Village, or NoHo: click here to nominate your favorite. Want to help support small businesses? Share this post with friends. Shaving cream locked behind glass to ward off […]
As New York City heads toward the 2025 general election, we are making sure that historic preservation and thoughtful urban planning remain front and center in public debate. Our Elections 2025 webpage offers an invaluable civic resource. While the mayoral race tends to draw the headlines, the decisions made by City Councilmembers and Borough Presidents […]
October is Italian-American Heritage Month, a rich opportunity to reflect on the profound contributions of Italian Americans to our city and nation. Here in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo, Italian immigrants and their descendants shaped neighborhoods, built small businesses, joined civic life, and wove their stories into the fabric of New York. At […]
In an age of increasing digital reliance, with endless content curated by apps and algorithms, generations young and old are returning to older technologies. With CDs and records all back in style, there is no better place to begin or restart your analog music collection than our neighborhoods. Many incredible record stores dot the streets […]
On Sunday, September 28, families, friends, and neighbors set off on an adventure through Greenwich Village, uncovering history, mystery, and plenty of fun at our Great Village History Hunt. The adventure began beneath the iconic Washington Square Arch, where participants set off with treasure maps leading them to six historic Village landmarks — from Edward […]
Explore Transit History in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo with Village Preservation’s Blog While much about the present and future may preoccupy us, today we’re going to take a look back about 200 years. The story of modern rail transport is often traced to September 1825, when a small steam locomotive, known as […]
Hosting over 80 programs annually, nearly all of which are free and open to the public, Village Preservation programming brings the architectural and cultural history of our neighborhoods to life through tours, lectures, conversations, webinars, and much more. You can revisit many of these programs on Village Preservation’s YouTube channel. Today, we take a look […]
Richard Barone’s vision of Greenwich Village began long before he moved here. Growing up in Florida, he was captivated by stories of its bohemian spirit and artistic ferment. That sense of the Village as an almost mythical place was reinforced when he met musician Tiny Tim as a teenager. Both eventual mentor and friend, Tiny […]
There’s something magical about a good map. It’s not just a tool for finding your way — it’s a window into another world, a story waiting to be uncovered. At Village Preservation, we’ve long believed that maps are one of the most powerful ways to connect people with the neighborhoods we work to protect. Our […]
Your input is needed! Today we feature our latest Business of the Month — help us to select the next. Tell us which independent store you love in Greenwich Village, the East Village, or NoHo: click here to nominate your favorite. Want to help support small businesses? Share this post with friends. Much has changed since the heyday of diners […]
The Salmagundi Club has championed the visual arts in our neighborhood since its founding in 1871. Created by artists and patrons, the club serves to support painters and art enthusiasts, hosting exhibitions, lectures, painting demonstrations, classes, and auctions. The club moved to its permanent home at 47 Fifth Avenue in 1917, where it has been […]
Have you ever had one of those moments where you catch yourself talking about talking about something, and suddenly realize you’ve gone full Inception? Well, welcome to ours. Today, we’re writing a blog post… about our blog. Yes, we know. Very meta. But Off the Grid isn’t just any blog — it’s Village Preservation’s digital […]
When audiences first saw The Seventh Victim following its release on August 21, 1943, they were introduced not only to a chilling mystery centered on a vaguely homoerotic satanic cult in Greenwich Village, in a story that served as a prequel to the successful thriller Cat People, which was released the year before. They also […]
It was the summer of 1965; the United States and the USSR were racing to the moon; the U.S. escalated its involvement in the Vietnam war; and years of civil rights protests led to the passage of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965. The 1960s are often remembered as a time of social upheaval, […]
In 1925, a Jewish-Polish immigrant named Eve Adams opened a tearoom at 129 MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village. The spot quickly became a gathering place for artists, poets, activists, and, most notably, members of the lesbian community. An outspoken lesbian and activist herself, Eve undoubtedly changed the course of queer culture and history in our […]
The New Deal is one of the most consequential presidential achievements in the history of this country. Context matters. The national economy at the time was on the verge of collapse. A third of the workforce was unemployed; panicked withdrawals threatened the viability of banks; soup kitchens had lines that went around the block; half […]
When the Singer Building rose in stages between 1897 and 1908, it briefly crowned the Lower Manhattan skyline with one of the city’s most ornate vertical statements: a richly detailed, slender tower designed for the Singer Sewing Machine Company by the Beaux-Arts architect Ernest Flagg. Less than sixty years later, the tower was intentionally demolished […]
Café Wha? sits half-underground at 115 MacDougal, a basement once used to stable horses. In 1959 actor Manny Roth hauled in broken marble for the floor, sprayed the walls black, and lit candles on cast-off tables. Capacity: 325 souls and one restless dream of fame. Greenwich Village already pulsed with poetry, but Roth’s “swingingest coffee […]
Decades after the show’s debut on September 22, 1994, the corner of Bedford and Grove Street remains a must-see destination for fans of a certain iconic ‘90s sitcom. From 1994 to 2004, Friends dominated television screens, influencing a generation into talking a certain way and a certain kind of haircut. Primarily set in our neighborhood, […]
While they may no longer be large foldout papers that you can never seem to fold back together, maps remain incredibly important, even if they are now digital tools on our smartphones. Take a moment and think if this has this happened to you: you’re zooming in on Google Maps on your phone trying to […]
Do you live in an apartment? Well, for most New Yorkers, that was not always the case. Apartment living, while now synonymous with New York life, is a newer phenomenon, having not gained popularity with most New Yorkers until the late 19th century. Before the Civil War, unless they were poor or working class, or […]
Explore the History Behind the WallsStep into the story of the French Flats—19th-century apartment buildings that transformed how New Yorkers lived. With Village Preservation’s interactive map, you can explore each site, view historic images, and uncover the lives of artists, activists, and everyday people who called these flats home.Experience the map In the 1870s, something […]
On July 16, 1951, the best-selling novel, The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger, was released. It’s a coming-of-age story that follows the depressed and increasingly dejected sixteen-year-old Holden Caulfield in his aimless escapades around Manhattan. An aspiring lost soul, Holden spends an unchaperoned weekend wandering the streets of the city he grew up […]
During the long days of summer, there is nothing better than lounging in one of our neighborhood’s parks. Many notable visual artists have been captivated by the natural beauty of our parks, as well as the interesting convergences of human activity. Today, we will take a closer look at some depictions of our most famous […]
William Kunstler (Born July 7, 1919) was more than just a defense attorney — he was a fierce advocate for civil rights, social justice, and the marginalized. Known for taking on some of the most controversial and groundbreaking legal cases of the 20th century, Kunstler made his home on Gay Street in Greenwich Village, a […]
Hosting over 80 programs annually, nearly all of which are free and open to the public, Village Preservation programming brings the architectural and cultural history of our neighborhoods to life through tours, lectures, conversations, webinars, and much more. You can revisit many of these programs on Village Preservation’s YouTube channel. Today we take a look […]
Each year, thousands of self-identified lesbians take to the streets of New York City for the annual Dyke March, where participants march from Bryant Park to Washington Square Park in a proud display of protest and community. And while the New York Dyke March has become a local tradition, the first Dyke March, however, orginated […]
At her prime, she was called “the most dangerous woman in America.” At her core, she was a Jewish Russian immigrant who relentlessly advocated for women’s equality, workers’ rights, free speech, and political reform. Emma Goldman (1869–1940) was an anarchist and activist at heart, a pivotal leader in the American progressive movement. And it was […]
Tony Dapolito Recreation Center stands in the heart of Greenwich Village and has served these many years as much more than just a city rec center. It’s a place where generations of New Yorkers learned to swim, shoot hoops, and connect with their neighbors. It’s also a cultural touchstone — immortalized in films like Raging […]
Lillian Hellman, Greenwich Village, and Her Stand Against HUAC Greenwich Village has always been more than just a charming New York neighborhood — it has been a crucible for radical ideas, artistic experimentation, and political defiance. Among the many bold voices shaped by the Village’s spirit was Lillian Hellman, a trailblazing playwright and screenwriter who […]
Across the country, June is recognized as Pride Month, celebrating LGBTQ+ communities in honor of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a pivotal moment in the fight for gay rights and liberation. Our neighborhoods have held a longstanding, deep connection with the queer community, having served as hubs for bars, restaurants, clubs, theaters, and community centers that […]
An exciting feature of Village Preservation’s sizable Historic Image Archive is the ability to filter images by category, or “tag.” We have added tags to the more than 5,000 historic photographs in our archive, so that users can easily view images organized by their interests. To celebrate pride, we will explore images using the “LGBTQ+” tag, which […]
Throughout the history of LGBTQIA+ life in our neighborhoods, there is a rich lineage of spaces specifically intended for queer women and lesbians. Today, as we start Pride Month, let’s take a look at just a few of the many historic lesbian bars, clubs, and hangouts that called our neighborhoods home — from a century […]
The Chrysler Building is one of the most iconic and beloved skyscrapers ever built. With its soaring spire, chrome-plated gargoyles modeled after 1929 Chrysler hood ornaments, and gleaming, terraced crown, it was the epitome of Art Deco design: elegant, futuristic, and unapologetically modern. Its dazzling lobby welcomed its first visitors when the Chrysler Building opened […]
Imagine a time before independent film. Just about no one makes them. If more did, no one would show them. And if someone showed them, few would watch them and certainly no one would write about them, because they just aren’t something worthy of serious discussion. If all that changed, it was, to no small […]
Village Preservation is proud to honor Forbidden Planet as a 2025 Village Awardee! Join us in recognizing Forbidden Planet and the five other remarkable awardees at Village Preservation’s Annual Meeting and Village Awards on Wednesday, June 11th, at the historic Great Hall at Cooper Union. Registration is free and open to all. Click here to register. At […]
The month of May bursts with meaning in New York City, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the historic and diverse neighborhoods of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. May is Haitian Heritage Month, Asian American And Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Lower East Side History Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, and National […]
Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes one of our favorite annual traditions: Village Awards season! This year, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, Village Preservation invites you to the 45th Annual Meeting and 35th Village Awards. This free, public celebration honors the extraordinary people, places, and organizations that make our neighborhoods some […]
As Earth Day blooms across New York City, there’s a special kind of quiet beauty on every tree-lined street of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo — neighborhoods where history is embedded in the dust of every brick. While global sustainability efforts often spotlight solar panels and LEED certifications, this Earth Day, let’s celebrate […]
Every first Sunday in May, something quietly magical unfolds in the winding streets of Greenwich Village. As cherry blossoms bloom and stoops warm in the afternoon sun, a few special doors open—not just to private homes, but to entirely different eras. Our Spring House Tour Benefit isn’t just a peek into exquisite interiors—it’s a kind […]
In an age where access to information is just a click away, digitized archives are becoming essential tools for researchers, students, journalists, and curious minds alike. When organizations make historical materials publicly accessible online, they’re not just preserving the past—they’re actively connecting it to the present and future. Village Preservation’s digitized archive of the Village […]
It was the bullet felt around the world. On April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot by stage actor, Confederate sympathizer, and white supremacist John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theater in Washington, DC. Lincoln succumbed to his wounds in the early hours of the following day, April 15, at the Peterson Boarding House just […]
At the start of Fifth Avenue sits the grand Washington Square Arch, welcoming New Yorkers and visitors alike into the heart of Greenwich Village. Today, on a stroll through the park, one might find street artists performing in the empty fountain, college students sharing a quick lunch between classes, and strangers deep in conversation about […]
Our neighborhood is packed with rich histories of trailblazing women who worked, lived, and organized within its streets. Within just one small block in Greenwich Village, consisting of West Washington Place and Sheridan Square between 6th and 7th Avenues, there are multiple sites that have deep connections to Women’s History. On Village Preservation’s Greenwich Village […]
New York City is home to what is arguably the most diverse and vibrant cultural scene anywhere in the world. Within that vast intellectual, artistic, and expressive mosaic there lies a hidden gem—a group where creativity, conversation, and camaraderie come together over an hot cup of America’s favorite caffeinated beverage. That gem is the Coffee […]
Imagine that at a dinner party, you turn to the person to your right, ask him about his background in the city, and he leads with this: He moved to New York during the late ‘60s with a freshly minted degree in architecture. At the time, many in the profession shared a faith in the […]
Amidst the hustle and bustle of Greenwich Village, where the buzz of traffic and the rush of pedestrians never seem to slow down, finding a peaceful green space is nothing short of an essential. One such oasis, nestled in the heart of our neighborhoods, has stood as a testament to the transformative power of nature […]
Recent times have reminded us that the free press is a fragile institution. The publishing history in our neighborhoods reminds us that it is also an indispensable one. Our neighborhoods have long exerted a magnetic pull on independent spirits and malcontents. It should come as no surprise that many of them exercised their freedom of […]
Whether you’re a local, live nearby, or are just passing through, Village Preservation’s annual House Tour Benefit is not one to miss. For 24 years and counting, some of our community’s most beautiful and unique homes have opened their doors and allowed us (and you!) inside for a look at exquisite interiors, meticulous restorations, unparalleled […]
Every neighborhood has its own unique story, a tapestry woven from the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of its residents. These stories are often passed down from one generation to the next, shaping the very identity of the place. In a world where rapid urbanization, technological advancements, and cultural shifts often leave little room for reflection, […]
Our neighborhoods have long thrived on an electric, eclectic energy that fuels creativity, rebellion, and cultural ferment. Amid the many powerful forces shaping the area’s nightlife history, women are among the pivotal yet often overlooked figures — transforming not only the local scene but the wider social and political landscape. These women were not just […]
Like architecture, literature, and art, fashion is yet another entryway into the past. To understand what we once wore is to embody what we once believed, cared for, and prioritized. For example, the loose fitting smock-styled tunics and silhouettes of the 1920s signify a direct rebellion from more restrictive Victorian era clothing like corsets and […]
Each year, Village Preservation celebrates the individuals, organizations, and businesses that have made a significant positive impact on Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo with our Village Awards. Since 1980, Village Preservation has worked tirelessly to protect and promote the architectural and cultural heritage of our historic communities. The Village Awards, an annual tradition, […]
Emily Post, one of America’s most influential figures in the field of etiquette, lived a life that combined a deep understanding of social protocol with the pulse of New York City’s energetic, ever-changing culture. Though most famous for her book Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home (1922), her personal life and […]
Our Historic Images from Landmarks Applications collection is one of the most extensive in our historic image archive. It is regularly updated with additional historic images that are included in local Certificate of Appropriateness applications to the Landmarks Preservation Commission. These provide invaluable documentation of our neighborhoods, and the newest batch includes a number of images of buildings […]
For most of their history, Greenwich Village, the East Village, and the Lower East Side have had an intimately interconnected life and history. These parts of New York have been crossroads and hotbeds of cultural and intellectual innovation. The East River and Hudson River waterfronts have linked these neighborhoods to global networks of trade and […]
See part one of our “Past Village Awardees” series here One of Village Preservation’s most beloved traditions is our Annual Meeting and Village Awards, in which we celebrate our achievements of the past year, and honor invaluable local leaders, institutions, businesses, places, and organizations in our neighborhoods. Fondly referred to as the “Oscars of the […]
Stonewall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 21, 1999, following a nomination process that included Village Preservation (then known as the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation) and the now-defunct Organization of Lesbian and Gay Architects and Designers. The following year, the site, which comprises the Stonewall Inn, the adjacent […]
One of Village Preservation’s most beloved traditions is our Annual Meeting and Village Awards, in which we celebrate our achievements of the past year, and honor invaluable local leaders, institutions, businesses, places, and organizations in our neighborhoods. Fondly referred to as the “Oscars of the Village,” these awards showcase the remarkable people and places that […]
The West Village is home to more than just gorgeous historic architecture, charming cobblestone streets, delicious restaurants, and delightful cafes. It’s also the stomping grounds for some seriously famous dogs. From the playful pups who bring smiles to their neighbors’ faces, to the four-legged stars making waves on the national stage, the dogs of the […]
Tom Fox’s photos from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s reveal a time when the Lower West Side waterfront was in a state of neglect, and then, as detailed in his book, “Creating the Hudson River Park,” how it was transformed into the public park we know today. In the 1970s and 80s, Manhattan’s Hudson River […]
Our neighborhoods are world-renowned for serving as home to countless transformative artists and artistic movements over the years. But you don’t have to be invited to an artist’s loft to experience the beauty and inspiration of their work. The public art that abounds in Greenwich Village and the East Village lets us take that imaginative […]
A half block north Perry Street, on Hudson Street in the heart of Greenwich Village, sits a rather plain, mid-19th century brick townhouse with large white-paned windows. This perhaps otherwise unremarkable looking building offered Jane Jacobs a front-row seat to a perpetual performance of what she called the New York City street ballet, her observations […]
On January 24, 1961, a young Bob Dylan arrived in New York City with nothing but a guitar, a few songs, and big dreams of making it in the world of music. His destination was the Village — specifically the South Village and Greenwich Village neighborhoods, which would become the setting for his artistic metamorphosis. […]
Handwriting may be a bit of a lost art these days. But handwritten records remain hugely important when conducting historical research. The vast majority of extant original houses in New York City were built in the 1800s, and all of the initial information about these buildings was documented by hand. Even after the typewriter became […]
The oldest parts of the New York City subway system are well over a century old, having opened on October 27th, 1904. The subway’s age creates a myriad of challenges for operation, but also provides us with a valuable historic resource. Subway stations have details that offer a glimpse into our past, and a number […]
On January 21, 1955, the literary world was introduced to one of its most unforgettable characters: Auntie Mame. Patrick Dennis’s rollicking novel, Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade, became an instant bestseller, enchanting readers with its outrageous humor, sparkling wit, and heartfelt message about embracing life’s adventures with open arms. Auntie Mame Dennis is the flamboyant, […]
The release of the biopic A Complete Unknown a few weeks ago has sparked renewed interest in the life, local history, and work of music icon Bob Dylan. And while filmmakers substituted the currently more sedate streets of Jersey City and Hoboken for Dylan’s actual neighborhood in the 1960s, you can instead walk the actual […]
Enacted into law in October 1919, the Volstead Act took effect January 16, 1920, enforcing the then-newly established 18th Amendment and thereby prohibiting the manufacture and distribution of alcoholic beverages. Now known as Prohibition, this era of federally-mandated teetotalism lasted thirteen years, only to be repealed in 1933 by the ratification of the 21st Amendment, […]
Have you ever considered that among Manhattan’s central avenues, Fifth Avenue is the only one without a dedicated subway line? There’s the A/C/E for 8th Avenue, 1/2/3 for 7th, B/D/F/M for 6th, and 4/5/6 for 4th/Park Ave… so what happened to Fifth Avenue, certainly as prominent a thoroughfare as all the rest? As a native […]
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney was an iconoclast in every sense of the word — an heir to one of America’s greatest fortunes who defied the expectations of her social class to become one of the most important patrons and creators in the American art world. Born into opulence and wealth on January 9, 1875, Gertrude might […]
Greenwich Village has long been celebrated as a cultural and artistic hub, attracting writers, poets, and thinkers from around the world. Among the luminaries who found inspiration in the Village’s vibrant and unconventional atmosphere was Kahlil Gibran, the Lebanese-American poet, writer, and philosopher best known for his timeless masterpiece, The Prophet. Born on January 6, […]
Carol Greitzer is in so many ways the embodiment of a true New Yorker and Greenwich Villager. Born January 3, 1925, in Manhattan—on 15th Street, in a long-gone hospital—Greitzer grew up in the North Bronx, attended Hunter College after high school, received her master’s degree in English Literature from NYU, and went on to serve […]
Will technology destroy the world or save it? This recurring conundrum has provided fertile ground for speculation; and it was precisely this sort of speculation that once gave rise to a new artistic genre: science fiction. Its roots are diffuse, and its impact pervasive. But we know this much — the story of the development […]
This blog post was originally published November 27, 2024, and is one of our favorites among the more than 200 we’ve published over the last year. To stay current on all our posts, follow us on X or Facebook, or subscribe to our blog feed via email here. A rock star, a legend, a genius, Jimi Hendrix was one of […]
On August 8, 1848, an Act of Congress played a significant role in shaping the landscape of New York City’s commerce and infrastructure: it granted part of the land to help establishment of the Gansevoort Farmers’ Market and the West Washington Market. This helped lay the groundwork for what would become one of the most vibrant and essential markets in all of New York City.
This blog post was originally published on January 10, 2024, and is one of our favorites among the more than 200 we’ve published over the last year. To stay current on all our posts, follow us on X or Facebook, or subscribe to our blog feed via email here. On January 3rd, 2017, Village Preservation released the first version of […]
The year is 1944, and in a brick row house by a lush Greenwich Village garden lives a “shy little black cat” named Jenny Linsky with her caretaker, the old sailor Captain Tinker. While the particular adventures and fanciful musings of this feline may have come from the creative imagination of author and illustrator Esther Averill, the cat, her owner, and the Village locations where these tales are set were all quite real.
In 1858, a retail revolution began at the bustling intersection of 6th Avenue and 14th Street in New York City. Rowland Hussey Macy opened a dry goods store that would eventually become one of the most recognizable names in retail: Macy’s. This unassuming shop was the beginning of a retail empire and cultural legacy that […]
Our Historic Images from Landmarks Applications collection is one of the most extensive in our historic image archive. It is regularly updated with additional historic images that are included in local Certificate of Appropriateness applications to the Landmarks Preservation Commission. These provide invaluable documentation of our neighborhoods, and the newest batch includes several images of […]
Dogs have been known as ‘man’s best friend’ for ages. However, no animal has probably done more for, and been more intertwined with, human development than the horse. In realms of farming, warfare, and transportation, the horse has played a critical role in shaping the world we live in today, especially New York and our […]
Christmastime in the city is like no other; rosy cheeks from ice skating at the many outdoor rinks throughout the city, arms overflowing with a festive bounty of gifts and delights for the holiday season, and (if we’re lucky) our beloved streets dusted in glistening snow. And while many think of uptown destinations as home […]
This is one of a series of blog posts which highlights the Village Independent Democrats collection in our Preservation History Archive. Two parts of this collection have been published. Part I, documents the club’s work from 1955-1969, and Part II from 1970-1979. “At age 88, I wake up every morning and say to myself, ‘Well, I’m still in New […]
A rock star, a legend, a genius, Jimi Hendrix was one of a kind. He carried a generation and pushed music to never-before-seen, electric limits. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame cites Hendrix as “…the most gifted instrumentalist of all time.” Born November 27, 1942, to Al Hendrix and Lucille Jeter, hardship and struggle […]
In 1918, a small but revolutionary event took place in the heart of Greenwich Village, forever changing the landscape of American theater. The Provincetown Playhouse, a humble venue at 133 MacDougal Street, hosted its first performance, marking the beginning of an artistic movement that would shape the future of modern theatre in the United States. […]
This is the second part of our series on Margaret “Pi” Gardiner. Click here to read Part 1. Our new oral history explores the legacy of Margaret “Pi” Gardiner, Greenwich Village native and long-time executive director of the Merchant’s House Museum. Published this past October, Pi’s interview with our oral historian, Josie Naron, illuminates how […]
Are Scorpios the most architecturally attuned astrological sign? This is the question that came to mind when I realized that three of New York City’s and the Village’s most celebrated and renowned architects were all born in early November. I know next to nothing about the Zodiac, but according to a Google search, Scorpios are […]
Delia Ephron, the celebrated writer and longtime Greenwich Village resident known for her poignant and humorous storytelling, is now bringing her unique voice to the Broadway stage with Left on Tenth, a play that draws from her own life and her deep connection to Greenwich Village. Ephron, who is beloved for her novels, essays, and […]
The 1960s was an era defined by political unrest, civil rights protests, and the re-popularization of American folk music. Author David Browne’s book, Talkin’ Greenwich Village: The Heady Rise and Slow Fall of America’s Bohemian Music explores the significance of Greenwich Village as an epicenter for folk and other countercultural movements in the mid-20th century, […]
Our new oral history published in October of 2024 celebrates the legacy of Margaret “Pi” Gardiner, Greenwich Village native and long-time executive director of the Merchant’s House Museum. Published this past October, Pi’s interview with our oral historian, Josie Naron, illuminates how her family’s deep history in New York City and Long Island inspired her […]
On this day after Election Day, presidential history marches on. And that history has often marched through Greenwich Village and the East Village, as denizens of both the White House and 1 Observatory Circle (the vice president’s residence) have made their marks in our communities. Aaron Burr at Richmond Hill The Charlton-King-VanDam Historic District was […]
“Becoming Fifth Avenue” is a series of posts in celebration of the bicentennial of the avenue, which was first laid out in 1824. The first segment, in Greenwich Village between Washington Square North and 13th Street, officially opened on November 1st of that year. To celebrate Fifth Avenue’s 200th Anniversary, Village Preservation has launched an interactive […]
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s flying puppets on Sixth Avenue? The beloved Village Halloween Parade is an annual, time-honored tradition known for its avant-garde costumes, floats, and street performances. And while these days the longtime New York ritual looms large as the biggest Halloween parade in the world, with over 50,000 participants and […]
This is the third in a multi-part series. Women photographers have played a pivotal role in shaping the visual narrative of our neighborhoods, as evident in Village Preservation’s historic image archive. The majority of the collections in our historic image archive were taken and/or donated by women. Their unique perspectives and contributions have captured the essence of […]
