What’s Lost in a Name: The Bowery and the Lost Mohican Trail
Typically our “What’s in a Name?” series looks into the name of a building or a place and what’s behind the name as we know it. But today we are … Continued
Public Characters: Brenda Coultas and Investigative Poetics on the Bowery
Taped into a small notebook are photos of vacant lots on First Street and Second Avenue. Elsewhere there is a photo of flowers and graffiti for Joey Ramone outside the … Continued
Hilly Kristal’s Long Road to the Bowery and Rock and Roll Legend
Hillel (Hilly) Kristal, founder of legendary rock club CBGB, was born on September 23, 1931 in New York City. His early life, well into adulthood, might not have given any … Continued
St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery’s Pride Ribbon Project
To honor and recognize LGBT Pride Month, each year the St. Marks Church-In-The-Bowery produces an art installation along 2nd Avenue between 10th and 11th Street, the Pride Ribbon Project. The … Continued
A Tour of the Bowery, From GVSHP’s Historic Image Archive and Urban Archive
The Bowery is Manhattan’s oldest street, predating European settlement. We don’t know exactly when native Americans first began to use this path. We do know that in those early days … Continued
When was the cornerstone laid for St. Mark’s-in-the-Bowery Church?
Standing diagonally on its lot at the intersection of East 10th Street, Stuyvesant Street, and 2nd Avenue, St. Marks Church-in-the-Bowery is the oldest site of continuous worship in our city. … Continued
August 23, 1813: “The Bowery” is Born
It was August 23 of 1813 when the Common Council of New York City officially put the name “The Bowery” on the books as a city street name. But New … Continued
St. Mark’s in the Bowery: Sam Shepard’s First Theatrical Home
“…But who knows what is real anyway? Reality is overrated. What remains are the words scrawled upon an unwinding panorama, vestiges of dusty stills peeled from memory, a threnody of gone … Continued
The Origins of St. Mark’s-in-the-Bowery Church
One of my favorite places in New York has always been St. Marks Church-in-the-Bowery on 2nd Avenue and 10th Street. Long before I actually stepped inside it’s peaceful courtyard or … Continued
Happy 50th Landmark Anniversary St. Mark’s-in-the Bowery Church!
50 years ago tomorrow, on April 19, 1966, the LPC landmarked St. Mark’s-in-the-Bowery Church. The Church is the oldest site of continuous worship in New York City. The parcel of land … Continued
Landmarks50: Saint Mark’s-in-the-Bowery Church
We continue the Landmarks50 celebration by taking a deeper look at Saint Marks-in-the-Bowery Church at 131 East 10th Street. This landmark represents construction over a considerable period of time. The … Continued
Germania Fire Insurance Company Bowery Building
Today we take a look at one of the many wonderful individual landmarks in our neighborhood, the Germania Fire Insurance Company Bowery Building at 357 Bowery. Designed by prominent German-American … Continued
A History of Magic in the Village and on the Bowery
Last night GVSHP presented a program at the Jefferson Market Library about the history of magic and magicians in our neighborhoods. The speakers were long-time GVSHP supporter Tom Klem and … Continued
Death, Debauchery, and Destruction on the Bowery: McGurk’s Suicide Hall
Dive bars and dead prostitutes! While these could be plot points in any Hollywood movie, back in the late 19th century these unwholesome characteristics gave the infamous McGurk’s Suicide Hall … Continued
LGBTQ History: Cooper Square and Bowery
In the 1890s, the Bowery, like Bleecker Street, was a center of ‘gay’ nightlife in New York City. On Bleecker Street, the Black Rabbit and the Slide did business, offering … Continued
335-343 Bowery: Then & Now
At the southeast corner of Bowery and East 3rd Street, within the recently designated Bowery State and National Register of Historic Places District, sits the Bowery Hotel, designed by Matt … Continued
Bowery Alliance of Neighbors: 2013 Village Award Winner
The Bowery Alliance of Neighbors (BAN), a grassroots organization, has been a passionate force within the New York City preservation community since 2007. Co-founded by David Mulkins and Anna Sawaryn, … Continued
The Story Behind 316-318 Bowery
Last week, GVSHP co-sponsored an event with Fourth Arts Block (FAB) at LaMaMa Experimental Theater Club at 6 East 1st Street, just off the Bowery. If you attended the book … Continued
Walking East 3rd Street: The Bowery Branch YMCA
Walking East 3rd Street is a collaboration between GVSHP and the students in NYU’s Fall 2012 Intro to Public History course. Each pair of students was tasked with researching the … Continued
The Portico of St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery
Recently, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express announced 40 preservation projects in the running for grants through their annual Partners in Preservation program. This program seeks to … Continued
Veselka Bowery Opens Tonight
With GVSHP’s office located on the corner of 2nd Avenue and East 11th Street, staff are very familiar with Veselka, the Ukrainian restaurant/diner on 2nd Avenue and East 9th Street. … Continued
The Village in Bloom
Early spring is a magical time in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo. As we recently discussed, the season has long been a source of inspiration for poets, artists, … Continued
It’s National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day!
Today, we celebrate National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day. We believe that small-scale entrepreneurs are one of the foundations of our neighborhoods and more than deserving of the recognition … Continued
Politicians, Playwrights, and Parades: The Irish legacy of the East Village and Greenwich Village
For many, celebrating Irish American heritage in March brings one to Fifth Avenue for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, or perhaps a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. But for … Continued
Naming a Neighborhood: The East Village
The area now known as the East Village was historically part of the Lower East Side, which was one of the most densely populated and ethnically diverse neighborhoods in the … Continued
A Tilted Little Street with a Big History: Stuyvesant Street
It is sometimes hard to imagine that the East Village was once farmland, but so was nearly everything in Manhattan at one time or another that lay north of the … Continued
The City’s First Public Library Becomes Its First Public Theater, via Preservation
John Jacob Astor was the wealthiest American by the time he passed in 1848, earning his fortune of $20 million (about $800 million in today’s dollars) first in the fur … Continued
Patricia Field’s Village Shops
Costume designer and fashion icon Patricia Field is best known for, among other accomplishments, her work on the television show Sex and the City. For decades, Field also operated a … 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
Touring the Gardens of the East Village
The 1970s was a dangerous and difficult time for New York City. Arson and neglect left many poor and working-class neighborhoods with abandoned lots, filled with hazardous debris. Residents of … Continued
The New York City Work Horse
New York City was powered by horses for almost three hundred years. At its peak, well over 150,000 horses and by some estimates up to 200,000 lived in the city. … Continued
A Glimpse into the Gilded Age East Village of the Tiffanys
Many would be surprised to learn that Charles Tiffany, the founder of Tiffany & Co., known for the manufacture of goods which came to be synonymous with the wealthiest New … Continued
The Public Theater’s Manahatta and the Confluence of Three Nations at Astor Place
The Public Theater is opening a significant new play, Manahatta, by Native attorney, activist, and playwright Mary Kathryn Nagle. It is fitting that this important piece of theatrical literature will … Continued
Patricia Field’s Village Shops
Costume designer and fashion icon Patricia Field is best known for, among other accomplishments, her work on the television show Sex and the City. For decades, Field also operated a … 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
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
Touring the Churches of the East Village
The East Village is a neighborhood known for its rich history, diversity, and creative culture. That diversity includes the wealth of religious institutions found across the neighborhood, as highlighted by … Continued
Exploring the New York City Backdrops of Sex and the City
Sex and the City, the wildly successful TV series that captivated audiences with its fashionable characters and hooky storylines, showcased many New York City locations with its fairy tale version … Continued
Celebrating National Great Poetry Reading Day
Great Poetry Reading Day is celebrated each year on April 28. Poetry is one of humankind’s oldest art forms. In ancient times, prior to written alphabets and other forms 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
Welcome Aboard, Dena Tasse-Winter
Today we welcome Dena Tasse-Winter as Village Preservation’s Director of Research and Preservation. A native New Yorker, Dena joins us with a background in architectural and landscape history, archival research … 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
Looking Back on The Cherry Lane Theatre’s Long History
The Cherry Lane Theatre opened as the Cherry Lane Playhouse in 1923, and is located within what was designated as the Greenwich Village Historic District in 1969 by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. … Continued
Celebrating Irish Heritage On the Town!
St. Patrick’s Day is finally upon us! While we deeply appreciate the cultural, political, social, religious, and economic heritage that the Irish have brought to our neighborhoods, let’s not forget … Continued
The Village Backdrops of Oscar-Winning Films
Originally broadcast through radio in 1929, the Academy Awards have evolved over time to become one of the most anticipated award ceremonies in the world. A trademark of Hollywood, the … Continued
Eras of American Literature: Allen Ginsberg & Robert Lowell
At the core of the Beat Generation was beloved East Villager Allen Ginsberg. He challenged the barriers that restricted what writers could print and created a handful of pieces that … Continued
The Rise of Architectural Styles on East 10th Street
The East 10th Street Historic District — officially designated on this day in 2012 — covers the northern side of the street between Avenues A and B, 26 buildings in … Continued
The American Indian Community House
The American Indian Community House (AICH) is a nonprofit community-based organization serving the needs of Native Americans residing in New York City. Comprised of Native Americans from 72 different tribes, … 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
Welcome Aboard, Jena Hinton
Today we welcome Jena Hinton (pronouns: she/her) as our new Program and Administrative Associate. Jena has been an intern with Village Preservation since September of 2021, and has collaborated on … Continued
The Evolution of the Lichtenstein Studio
The Greenwich Village Historic District is one of NYC’s oldest and largest, encompassing over 100 blocks and 2,200 buildings. One of those buildings plays a role in history much greater … Continued
Welcome Aboard, Shannen Smiley!
Today we welcome Shannen Smiley (pronouns: she/her) as our new Research and Preservation Associate. Shannen has been an intern with Village Preservation since December of 2021, completing various research and … Continued
Alana Heiss & The Alternative Spaces Movement
Birthed by cultural curator Alana Heiss during the early ‘70s, the Alternative Spaces Movement aligns closely with the Historic Preservation Movement here in New York City. It sought to adaptively … Continued
Five Spot: Once The Hippest Place on Earth
Jack Kerouac‘s On The Road was the literary sensation of the season in New York in 1957. West Side Story made its Broadway debut in that year. The abstract expressionist painters were … Continued
The Ramones and CBGB: Forever Linked
The Ramones and CBGB were so integral to the development of the punk rock music genre in the mid-1970s that you can’t think of one without the other. The two … Continued
Three Takeaways from Escape from New York: The 1822 Yellow Fever Outbreak and the Creation of Greenwich Village
us through our history with insights that help us understand our own times as much as we begin to understand the past. We hope you check out James and Michelle’s work and continue to come along such journeys through Village Preservation’s programming.
Village Cemeteries Part V, NoHo Edition
Moving westward across the Village through our Cemeteries of the Village series, today we explore one former cemetery site in NoHo and one just north of the NoHo corridor, both … Continued
Crisis and Adaptation: Storefront Trends in the East Village, 2019 – 2021
The preservation of independent small businesses has been an ongoing and growing concern in our neighborhoods and city. This took on greater urgency during the pandemic, when so many establishments … Continued
Mannahatta: Exploring “Our Good Home”
We have previously looked at the Lenape legacy in our area, including the native trails the Dutch and English followed, and the myths of Minetta Creek. This is if course … Continued
Beyond the Village and Back: Hamilton Fish Park
In our blog series Beyond the Village and Back, we take a look at some great landmarks throughout New York City outside of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo, celebrate … Continued
Celebrating Flag Day!
Flag Day is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress: “Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be … Continued
Seeing Wright in the Village
Frank Lloyd Wright’s (June 8, 1867 – April 9, 1959) contributions to American architecture are wide and varied; his low slung Prairie style homes that irrevocably changed American residential design and … Continued
2022 Village Awardee: Jane Friedman and Howl! Arts
Each year, Village Preservation honors the invaluable people, businesses, and organizations that make a special contribution to our neighborhoods at our Annual Meeting and Village Awards. This year, on June … Continued
North America’s First Free Black Settlement In Our Neighborhoods
According to historian Christopher Moore, the first legally emancipated community of people of African descent in North America was found in Lower Manhattan, comprising much of present-day Greenwich Village, NoHo, … Continued
The Oldest Building South of Union Square
Village Preservation’s proposed South of Union Square Historic District was named one of the “Seven to Save” by the Preservation League of NY State for 2022-2023. The area is full … Continued
Business of the Month: Fragrance Shop New York, 65 East 4th Street
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, … Continued
East Village Building Blocks Tour: African American History
People of African descent have lived in the area now known as the East Village since the mid-17th century, when semi-freed African slaves of the Dutch West India Company in … Continued
Our Dutch Legacy, Four Hundred Years Later
On May 4th, 1626, Dutch Explorer Peter Minuit landed on the island known to its indigenous population as Manahatta, orchestrating what has often been referred to as the “purchase” of … Continued
More Than A Century of Dance at A More Than 225 Year Old Church
On April 25, 1795 the cornerstone was laid for St. Marks Church-in-the-Bowery — a historic cornerstone itself of our neighborhoods. What no one knew then was that the building would be a center for the dance community for one hundred years and counting. The history of dance and performance at St. Mark’s is rich and deep, and continues to engage New York City in unique and significant ways.
Szia, Nadia! – Immigrant History through the Lens of Netflix’s “Russian Doll”
Spoilers ahead for the first and second season of “Russian Doll” limited TV series Our neighborhoods have long been seen as a refuge and melting pot for immigrants of all … Continued
Beer Now, Beer Then, Beer Here, Beer Everywhere
Filled with mingled cream and amber, I will drain that glass again. Such hilarious visions clamber Through the chamber of my brain. Quaintest thoughts, queerest fancies Come to life and … Continued
Great NYC Museums Go #BeyondTheVillageAndBack
New York City is blessed with a broad range of historic and internationally recognized cultural institutions across the five boroughs. But few know how many of them have origins here … Continued
Welcome to the Neighborhood: Via della Scrofa, 60 East 4th Street
Today we welcome a new small business to our neighborhoods — help us welcome the next. Tell us which new independent store in Greenwich Village, the East Village, or NoHo you’re … Continued
Catholic Churches: Anchor of New York’s 19th Century Irish Community
Irish Catholic immigrants to New York were one of the earliest and largest major immigrant groups to our city, outside of the Protestant immigrants from the United Kingdom who were … Continued
Aiding and Supporting Ukraine Via East Village Businesses and Institutions
New York City is home to the largest Ukrainian population in the country, and the East Village has long been the heart of that community. After the recent attacks against … Continued
The Federal Style Begins
On March 4, 1789, the U.S. Constitution went into effect as the first Congress met at Federal Hall on Wall Street, ushering in the form of government we utilize in … Continued
All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church — A Beacon of Ukrainian Culture in the East Village
Village Preservation’s offices are located next to the East Village’s wonderful “Little Ukraine” neighborhood. One of the most eye-catching Ukrainian institutions in our neighborhood is just a few doors down … Continued
Explore NYC History with Two New Maps That Take You ‘Beyond the Village and Back’
Think of some of the most iconic sites in our great city, and what comes to mind? The Statue of Liberty. The Empire State Building. The Chrysler Building. The Queensboro … Continued
The Supposed Streets of Little Africa
Beginning in the late 18th century, the area more or less defined by today’s Bleecker, Mercer, Thompson, Sullivan, MacDougal, and Carmine Streets started to grow as a free Black community … Continued
The Civilian Warfare Gallery: Artists in Combat
Founded by artists and partners Alan Barrows and Dean Savard in 1982, Civilian Warfare is one of the most under-interpreted yet incredibly influential galleries in the East Village’s art scene. … Continued
The Bouwerie Lane Theatre: Long-time Home of the Iconic Jean Cocteau Repertory
On January 11, 1967, one of the most beautiful buildings in all of New York was designated an individual landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. 330 Bowery (54 Bond) was … Continued
Fourteenth Street and Fifth Avenue: A Window into the Development of the City
We have previously researched the Dutch ownership of the lands within the area south of Union Square, land that was originally home to the native Lenape people. The Dutch took … Continued
Beyond the Village and Back: Ukrainian Institute of America
On the corner of East 79th Street and 5th Avenue stands a 19th-century chateau that wouldn’t be out of place in the Loire Valley, yet seems just as comfortable on the Upper East Side. It’s been home to the Ukrainian Institute of America for nearly seven decades, but thanks to its previous inhabitants, this historic structure also holds an interesting connection with the early days of Greenwich Village and New York City.
De Blasio’s Great SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown Developer Giveaway (Video!)
The greed orgy that is de Blasio’s SoHo/NoHo/Chinatown rezoning is currently before the Land Use Committee of the City Council, which held a public hearing on the matter on November … Continued
Washington Square Park, Once the Land of the Lenape
Today we’re highlighting the rich Indigenous history of our neighborhood. This is crucial both to understand and respect the full history of the land we live on, and to recognize … Continued
The Lenape Myths that Explain Their Land: Minetta Creek
Minetta Creek, which ran through what is today Greenwich Village, drew the Native American Lenape to its fertile lands. The Lenape cared for this land, and their myths and legends … Continued
#SouthofUnionSquare: Pre-Civil War Buildings
Our research on the area south of Union Square has revealed treasure troves of rich architecture and history connected to the film, the labor movement, and the arts, among many … Continued
Three Up, Three Down: Explore Our Greek Revival Heritage in Six Buildings
Two centuries ago, a war began in Europe that would shape boundaries and alliances on the continent for years to come. Greece, which for centuries had been under Ottoman rule, … Continued
City Planning Commission SoHo/NoHo Upzoning Hearing This Thursday, September 2, 10 am
Virtual and In-Person Testimony Allowed Borough President Holds Five-Hour Public Hearing, Withholds Recommendation Opponents Including Incoming and Past Councilmembers Urge Rejection The City Planning Commission will hold its sole public … Continued
Business of the Month: Pageant Print Shop, 69 E. 4th Street
If you have blank walls and find yourself in the mood for exploration and unexpected discoveries, our Business of the Month, Pageant Print Shop at 69 East 4th Street between Bowery and Second Avenue, should be your destination.
St. Mark’s Place: How Cows Changed its Reputation
St. Mark’s Place, named after the Church of St. Mark’s in the Bowery, is typically known for its other religious calling — rock n’ roll. The street was at the … Continued
Community Board 2 Overwhelmingly Rejects SoHo/NoHo Rezoning Plan; BP and CPC To Hold Hearings
On Monday night, Community Board 2 voted nearly unanimously to roundly reject Mayor de Blasio’s proposed SoHo/NoHo Upzoning plan. The thoughtful and highly detailed 11-page resolution outlined how the plan … Continued
What’s In a Name?: Pear Tree Place, 105 Third Avenue
Our “What’s In A Name?” series looks at the names behind buildings, streets, parks, or other locations in our neighborhoods which hold more meaning than we may realize. In the … Continued
Patti Smith
Woman Crush Wednesday is our day to celebrate and highlight the trailblazing and inspiring women who made all kinds of things happen in the world from right here in our … Continued
#SouthofUnionSquare — Grove Press Tour
Our South of Union Square map offers an interactive look into this area of Greenwich Village and the East Village that is so rich in history, but also so lacking … Continued
What’s In a Name?: The Petersfield, 113-119 Fourth Avenue
Our “What’s In A Name?” series looks at the names behind buildings, streets, parks, or other locations in our neighborhoods which hold more meaning than we may realize. 113-119 Fourth … Continued
The African Grove Theater — Black Theater’s Beginnings in Our Neighborhood
In the early 19th century, Greenwich Village was rich with different cultures and ethnicities. As slavery in New York would not be outlawed until 1827, the area had a mixture … Continued
A ‘Strange’ Spot, on Bleecker Street
You’re walking along Bleecker Street in the heart of Greenwich Village when the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. You feel all sorts of magic surrounding … Continued
Remembering Joey Ramone
On April 15, 2001, Rock and Roll lost a true legend. On that day, Joey Ramone died of lymphatic cancer. That night, U2’s Bono told the audience at a concert … Continued
Irish American Heritage Permeates #SouthOfUnionSquare
Irish American figures defined the blocks where Greenwich Village meets the East Village.
