2013 GVSHP Annual Meeting and Village Awards A Great Success
Thank you to everyone who joined us last night as we celebrated our 33rd Annual Meeting and presentation of the Village Awards at the beautiful Tishman Auditorium at The New … 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
Fulfillingness’ First Finale: A Stevie Wonder Classic Born of Pain, Recovery, and Greenwich Village
On July 22, 1974, Stevie Wonder’s seventh studio album, Fulfillingness’ First Finale, was released by Tamla, a subsidiary of Motown Records. The classic album, considered the fourth of five from … Continued
Thank You To Our Members — Making 40 Years of Village Preservation Possible
It’s Village Preservation’s 40th birthday this year. In honor of this auspicious occasion, we recently released a story map that details our efforts documenting, celebrating, and advocating for the preservation … Continued
LGBT Historic Sites in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo
June is Pride Month, which makes it an especially exciting time to be in the Village. LGBT history is closely tied with our neighborhood and their culture, and throughout the … Continued
Lady Gaga’s Greenwich Village
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is a born and raised New Yorker. While she spent most of her early years growing up on … Continued
The Brant Foundation & Gluckman Tang Architects, 2019 Village Awardees
On June 12th, 2019 we will be celebrating seven outstanding awardees at our Annual Village Awards — RSVP here. Read blog posts about each of our 2019 Village Awardees here. … Continued
Christopher Park Alliance, 2019 Village Awardee
Christopher Park has been a community gathering place and green oasis in the urban landscape of Greenwich Village for 180 years. In recent decades it has also become a hub … Continued
Churches of the Greenwich Village Historic District
This is one in a series of posts marking the 50th anniversary of the designation of the Greenwich Village Historic District. Check out our year-long activities and celebrations at gvshp.org/GVHD50. Churches are found throughout … Continued
Kirk Douglas – Actor, Producer and Villager
“I am Spartacus!” That is what many people think of when they think of Kirk Douglas, in his role in the 1960 film Spartacus as the leader of a slave … Continued
Beyond the Village and Back: Cooper Hewitt Museum, Former Andrew Carnegie Mansion
The Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum at 2 East 91st Street is a renowned museum and institution, the only of its kind in the United States, born of a long history and connection between philanthropy and industry.
Theater for The New City: 2018 Village Awardee
Theater for The New City (TNC) was founded in 1970 and has served its community with a wide variety of programming for nearly fifty years. TNC has premiered nearly one … Continued
LGBT History in All Corners of the Village: The West Village
June is Pride Month, which makes it an especially exciting time to be in the Village. LGBT history is closely tied with the Village and its environs, and throughout the … Continued
2017 Village Award Winner: Frank Collerius
Off the Grid is highlighting the 2017 Village Awards winners in the lead up to the June 6th Annual Meeting & Award Ceremony. Click here for more information about the event and to … Continued
Announcing the 2017 Village Awardees!
Join us on Tuesday, June 6th at 6:30 pm for the 37th GVSHP Annual Meeting and 27th Village Awards — RSVP required; click here. Co-hosted by The New School The … Continued
When the South Village Was One of New York’s ‘Seven to Save’
Five years ago today, the South Village was named one of the Preservation League of New York’s ‘Seven to Save’ — the seven most important, endangered historic sites in New York … Continued
Italians of the South Village
Eight years ago today, on October 8, 2007, GVSHP published the report, “The Italians of the South Village” as part of the Historic South Village Preservation Project — you can … Continued
2015 Village Award Winner The Renee & Chaim Gross Foundation
Off the Grid is highlighting the winners of GVSHP’s 2015 Village Awards, in the lead up to our June 17th Annual Meeting & Award Ceremony. Previous entries include Barbara Shaum, Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks, and David … Continued
Village Businesses of the 1930s
GVSHP has always been concerned about the status of small businesses, whether they be restaurants, theaters, or small shops. We also recognize outstanding local businesses as part of our … Continued
2014 Village Awards Recap
Last evening, as part of Village Preservation’s Annual Meeting, we celebrated the best of Greenwich Village, the East Village and NoHo by presenting our annual Village Awards. Each June for … Continued
2014 Village Award Winner: Pino Prime Meats
In the old Italian South Village, St. Anthony of Padua church stands on the corner of Sullivan Street and Houston Street, an anchor for the vibrant community of Italian immigrants … Continued
2014 Village Award Winner: New York Central Art Supply
Browsing the merchandise at New York Central Art Supply can be a little intimidating for the uninitiated, but that’s just because this store, which has been owned by the same … Continued
2014 Village Award winner: Village Community Boathouse
Lately Pier 40 has been in the news due to the controversial possibility of air rights being sold from this and other piers within the Hudson River Park. To me, … Continued
2014 Village Awards
It’s that time of year again! Every June, as part of Village Preservation’s Annual Meeting, we highlight with our Village Awards those special businesses, organizations, individuals, and places that make … Continued
2013: The Year In Review
We at GVSHP want to wish everyone a happy holiday season and best wishes for the new year. We’ll be posting intermittently for the next week or so until we … Continued
The East Village is Alive .. With the Sound of Music
Last week Off the Grid featured a story about the 55th Annual Washington Square Music Festival, which presents free concerts in Washington Square Park on Tuesday evenings in July. This … Continued
You Oughta Be in Pictures: 2013 Village Award Winners
Tonight, GVSHP will present our Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony. This evening will look back on the work of the Society over the last year, while honoring those who make … Continued
2013 Village Award Winner: Jeremiah Shea
The East Village has seen many changes over the last twenty years, but perhaps none so inspiring as the changes due to the work of Ninth Precinct Community Council President … Continued
2013 Village Award winner – Avignone Chemists
Last week I wrote about one of my favorite spots in the South Village, the Sir Winston Churchill Square. If you took my advice and went for a visit, you … Continued
2013 Village Award Winner: NYU Faculty Against the Sexton Plan
You don’t often hear “NYU” and “award” in the same sentence (at least not when GVSHP is giving the award). But a bold and unapologetic group of NYU faculty who … Continued
Sir Winston Churchill Square: 2013 Village Award Winner (and one of my favorite places!)
If you have ever spent time in the area where Bleecker Street meets Sixth Avenue, then you know it’s a busy place with lots of people, cars, buses, bicycles, strollers, … 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
Block Drug Store: 2013 Village Award Winner
Since 1885, a drug store has stood at the corner of 2nd Avenue and 6th Street. Although it has had various owners over the years, members of the Palermo family … Continued
And the Winner Is … Village Awards Edition
Last week, Off the Grid celebrated the upcoming Obie and Tony Awards. Today, GVSHP is honored to announce … the 2013 Village Awardees! Each year, the Greenwich Village Society for … Continued
Your chance to recognize a Village treasure!
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 … Continued
Making Beautiful Music Together: The Grammy-Winning Artists #SouthOfUnionSquare
Known for its eclectic ambiance and creative energy, the area South of Union Square has historically acted as a magnet for hundreds of musicians, painters, photographers, and the like. As … Continued
September 1st, 1939
On September 1st, 1939 German troops invaded Poland, starting Word War II, the costliest war in terms life and destruction in human history. Although the United States would not officially … Continued
The Gardens Less Travelled
When spring arrives, our wonderful neighborhoods are alive with activity. Many more people are out and about, enjoying the unique beauty of our slice of the big city, where you can … Continued
Samuel ‘Chip’ Delany, Author and Genius
Samuel R. (Chip) Delany, born on April 1, 1942, is an acclaimed author of both non-fiction and science fiction. He grew up in Harlem, at 2250 Seventh Ave above his father’s … Continued
Remembering the HIV/AIDS Crisis
We’re in the midst of battling a global pandemic, with a federal government which often seems disinterested at best in addressing the situation and unwilling to take the steps necessary … Continued
Why Isn’t This Landmarked?: The Hebrew Technical Institute, 9th and Stuyvesant Streets
Part of our blog series Why Isn’t This Landmarked?, where we look at buildings in our area we’re fighting to protect that are worthy of landmark designation, but somehow aren’t … Continued
Chaim Gross on LaGuardia Place, and “The Family” on Bleecker
When the days are finally seeming longer than they used to be, the beautiful details of the Village begin to reveal themselves in new ways. Today, I’m thinking about public … Continued
Many Layers of History at 7th Avenue and 12th Street: St. Vincent’s Hospital
This piece is part of a series about Village blocks that correspond to calendar dates. You can read some of the other ones here. Another day, another date that corresponds … Continued
Bea Arthur Residence: 2018 Regina Kellerman Award Winner
The Bea Arthur Residence for homeless LGBT youth, named for “Golden Girl” Bea Arthur, was born of a partnership between the Cooper Square Committee and the Ali Forney Center. This … Continued
Many Layers of History between 3rd and 2nd Avenues
Scratch the sidewalk anywhere in the Village or East Village and you’ll always find interesting layers of history. Last month, we went out on a limb and talked about 2nd … Continued
Dylan Thomas in New York: The Rock Star Poet at his Zenith
1950 was a seminal year in the life of the “last rock star poet,” Dylan Thomas. On February 20th of that year the much-celebrated Welsh poet arrived in New York … Continued
My Favorite Things: Theater Edition
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, … Continued
Honoring Patti Smith
On Saturday, December 10, 2016, the extraordinary Patti Smith accepted the Nobel Prize for Literature on behalf of Bob Dylan in Stockholm, Sweden. In a transcendent performance, Smith was overwhelmed … Continued
Happy Birthday Calvin Trillin!
Happy (slightly late) birthday to Greenwich Village resident and long-time GVSHP supporter Calvin Trillin, born December 5, 1935. Mr. Trillin was a contributor to GVSHP’s publication Greenwich Village Stories (available for … Continued
A Gardening Labor of Love
A year ago today, Bert Waggott passed away, surrounded by loved ones. Bert was a long-time Greenwich Village resident, graphic designer and professor of graphic design at Pratt Institute. Bert … Continued
Farewell to Our Friend Bert Waggott
Here at Off the Grid we are sad to report that we have lost a good friend. Bert Waggott, a long-time Greenwich Village resident, graphic designer and professor of graphic … Continued
Parks and Gardens
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 … Continued
2014 Year In Review: GVSHP Programs
As we near the end of 2014, we thought we’d look back on the several dozen exciting lectures, book talks, exhibitions, walking tours, forums, panels, and community meetings conducted by … Continued
In the News: 49 Years Ago Today
Much of the Village Voice from the 1950s to the mid-2000s is available to view online via a Google digitization project. The huge trove of scanned newspapers helps reveal the … Continued
Water Works
New York City tap water. Winner of many awards. Secret ingredient of Joe’s pizza crust. We take it for granted when we turn on the tap, and we are annoyed … Continued
That Hudson River Waterfront
I think I’m infatuated with Greenwich Village’s Hudson River waterfront. I can’t seem to get enough of it. Last month our good friend Dr. Robin Nagle spoke about the history … Continued
First Avenue Estates Win A Big Victory for Preservation Everywhere
It’s not that often that we here at Off the Grid report on happenings on the Upper East Side. But a big preservation victory there earlier this month with broad … Continued
MacDougal, Sullivan, & Thompson
No, it’s not the name of a law firm. It’s the names of 3 of my favorite streets in the recently-designated South Village Historic District. For many years I lived … Continued
Turning the Tide on Chain Store Proliferation
Some surprising good news today about the growth of chain stores in the Village, East Village, and NoHo. Like many, Village Preservation has been working to try to discourage the … Continued
East Fourth Street comes alive with art and culture
The Fourth Arts Block will present its tenth annual FAB! Festival on Saturday, September 28, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Festivities take place on East 4th Street between 2nd Avenue … Continued
Matthew Del Gaudio, architect of Our Lady of Pompeii Church
Eminent architect Matthew W. Del Gaudio died on September 17, 1960. One of his most well-known buildings is right here in the heart of the South Village, Our Lady of … Continued
Greenwich House: a settlement house past and present
Founded 111 years ago by reformer Mary Kingsbury Simkhovitch, Greenwich House began as a place to help improve the lives of the expanding immigrant populations in the neighborhood. While times … Continued
I scream, you scream, Off the Grid screams for ICE CREAM
With Labor Day fast approaching and temperatures rising, my thoughts are turning to … ice cream! Greenwich Village has recently become one of the best neighborhoods in New York City … Continued
Jefferson Market Garden
On Monday evening I attended the Jefferson Market Garden Friends’ Annual Garden Party. If you are already familiar with the Jefferson Market Garden (a 1991 Village Award winner), there’s no … Continued
The Beginning of AIDS in New York
On June 5, 1981, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published its first national notice about cases of what would come to be known as AIDS. In its … Continued
And the winner is…
It’s Awards Season! The Obie Awards for Off-Broadway theater will be presented on Monday, May 20th, and the Tony Awards for Broadway theater on June 9th. So it’s an exciting … Continued
A Sad Farewell to Joe’s Dairy
After 60 years, Joe’s Dairy, a small South Village institution specializing in fresh mozzarella (plain, salted, and smoked) will close up their retail store. Community gossip, which is confirmed by … Continued
Time to Celebrate the Twins
The first weekend every August, thousands of twins from across North America will descend upon Twinsburg, Ohio for the annual Twins Festival. Not to be outdone, New York is full … Continued
