NAACP and National LGBTQ Task Force Come Out in Support of South of Union Square Landmarking Effort; New Research Submitted

Earlier this month Village Preservation submitted detailed research and documentation showing the critical role that the unprotected area of Greenwich Village and the East Village south of Union Square played in the African American and LGBT civil rights movements. Here were located the headquarters of the oldest national organizations in each of those movements: the NAACP (70 Fifth Avenue) and the National Gay Task Force (now the National LGBTQ Task Force). This is no coincidence – one of many layers of rich history found in this endangered area is the incredible confluence of civil rights organizations, labor organizers, progressive social movements and publications, avant-garde publishers, and trailblazing writers, artists, and thinkers.  It is on this and many other bases that we are seeking landmark designation for this area, before more of this rich history is lost.

Following up on our research, we reached out to the NAACP and the Task Force, who enthusiastically joined the call for landmark designation to honor and preserve this rich history – read their letters here. They are part of a growing number of scholars, civil rights groups, writers, and thousands of New Yorkers who have supported this preservation effort.  We continue to gather more support from interest groups and individuals who care about the rich social, political, artistic, commercial, and architectural heritage of this area.

We also just submitted new research and documentation to the Landmarks Preservation Commission about the history of 58 East 13th Street, an 1853 building in this proposed landmark district that played an extraordinary role in the history of the arts in America as the headquarters of the National Academy of Design and the home of a series of artistic innovators – read the letter here.

TO HELP:

Write City Officials Urging Them To Support Landmark Designation of Greenwich Village and the East Village South of Union Square – CLICK HERE