Greenwich Village facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Greenwich Village
Neighborhood
Bird's eye view of Greenwich Village, facing towards the Lower Manhattan skyline in 2017
Country	United States
State	New York
City	New York City
Borough	Manhattan
Community District	Manhattan 2
Named for	Groenwijck (Green District)
Area
• Total	0.75 km2 (0.289 sq mi)
Population
• Total	22,785
• Density	30,440/km2 (78,840/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Villager
Economics
• Median income	$119,728
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	10003, 10011, 10012, 10014
Area codes	212, 332, 646, and 917
Greenwich Village Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
453–461 Sixth Avenue in the Historic District
Location in Manhattan Show map of Manhattan Location in New York City Show map of New York City Location in New York Show map of New York Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Boundaries: north: W 14th St; south: Houston St; west: Hudson River; east: Broadway
Architectural style	various
NRHP reference No.	79001604
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	June 19, 1979

Greenwich Village, often called the Village, is a famous neighborhood in New York City. It's located on the west side of Lower Manhattan. The area is bordered by 14th Street to the north, Broadway to the east, Houston Street to the south, and the Hudson River to the west.

The name "Greenwich" comes from the Dutch word Groenwijck, which means "Green District". For a long time, Greenwich Village was known as a home for artists and a center for new ideas. It played a big role in the Beat Generation and the counterculture of the 1960s. It's also famous for being the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ movement.

Today, Greenwich Village is home to Washington Square Park. It also has two private colleges: New York University (NYU) and The New School. The neighborhood has become quite expensive, with high housing prices.

Exploring Greenwich Village's Location

Greenwich Village is a unique part of Manhattan. It has distinct borders that help define it.

Where is Greenwich Village Located?

The neighborhood is bordered by Broadway to the east. The Hudson River is to the west. Houston Street forms the southern border, and 14th Street is to the north. Washington Square Park and New York University are right in the middle of the area.

Nearby neighborhoods include NoHo and the East Village to the east. SoHo and Hudson Square are to the south. Chelsea and Union Square are to the north. The western part of Greenwich Village is called the West Village.

Understanding the Village's Street Layout

MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village

Greenwich Village has a street layout that is different from most of Manhattan. This is because it was once a small, separate village. When New York City grew, the Village kept its original, more winding streets. This gives the neighborhood a special, historic feel.

Many streets here are narrow and curve in interesting ways. This adds to the charm of the area. Unlike most of Manhattan, streets in the Village often have names instead of numbers. For example, West 4th Street runs north-south in the Village. This is unusual because most numbered streets in Manhattan run east-west.

A large part of Greenwich Village is a Historic District. This means that new buildings and changes to old ones are carefully controlled. This helps keep the neighborhood's historic look and feel. Most buildings are mid-rise apartments or old row houses. This is very different from the tall skyscrapers in other parts of Manhattan.

A Brief History of Greenwich Village

Greenwich Village has a long and interesting past. It started as a small settlement and grew into a famous cultural hub.

Early Beginnings of the Village

In the 16th century, the Lenape people called the area "Sapokanikan". This meant "tobacco field". Later, Dutch settlers and enslaved Africans cleared the land. They called their settlement Noortwyck, meaning "North district".

In the 1630s, Governor Wouter van Twiller grew tobacco here. The English took control in 1664. Greenwich Village then grew as a separate hamlet. It was north of the main New York City settlement. In 1644, eleven Dutch African settlers were given land here. This area became known as the Land of the Blacks.

The name "Greenwich" first appeared in 1696. In 1727, a large estate was built by Sir Peter Warren. His house overlooked the North River.

Greenwich Village's Role in Culture and Arts

Gay Street at the corner of Waverly Place. Its name comes from a colonial family.

Greenwich Village became famous as a center for bohemian culture. This means it was known for its artistic and unconventional residents. The neighborhood was a place where new ideas in politics, art, and culture could grow.

Small publishing houses, art galleries, and experimental theaters thrived here. The Stonewall Inn is a very important landmark in the Village. In 1969, protests for equality started there. These Stonewall riots are seen as the beginning of the modern gay rights movement. The Stonewall Inn is now a National Historic Landmark.

The Tenth Street Studio Building was a key place for artists. It opened in 1857. Many famous artists, like Winslow Homer and Frederic Church, had studios there. The Hotel Albert also hosted many important artists and writers. These included Mark Twain and Salvador Dalí.

In 1924, the Cherry Lane Theatre opened. It is New York City's oldest continuously running Off-Broadway theater. It was a place for new playwrights and emerging voices. The Whitney Museum of American Art also started in Greenwich Village in 1931. It was founded by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney to showcase American Art.

The Cherry Lane Theatre is located in Greenwich Village.

The annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade is the world's largest Halloween parade.

The Village also had the nation's first racially integrated nightclub, Café Society. It opened in 1938. It featured many talented African American performers. These included Billie Holiday and Lena Horne.

The annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade started in 1974. It is the world's largest Halloween parade. Millions of people watch it every year.

The Village After World War II

The Stonewall Inn, a U.S. National Historic Landmark and National Monument. It is the site of the 1969 Stonewall riots and the start of the modern gay rights movement.

In the 1950s, Greenwich Village became important for the Beat Generation. Writers and artists, known as the Beats, moved here. They wanted to escape social rules and create new art. Famous writers like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg were part of this movement.

The Village was also a major center for folk music in the 1960s. Music clubs like Gerde's Folk City and The Bitter End hosted many future stars. Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Joni Mitchell all performed here. The Village Vanguard and Blue Note are famous for jazz music.

Off-Off-Broadway theater also began in Greenwich Village in 1958. It was a new kind of theater that rejected commercial shows. Coffeehouses like the Caffe Cino were early venues for these plays.

The Village played a key role in the gay liberation movement. The Stonewall riots in June 1969 were a turning point. These protests led to the modern fight for LGBTQ rights in the United States. The Stonewall National Monument was created to honor this history. The world's oldest gay and lesbian bookstore, Oscar Wilde Bookshop, opened here in 1967.

Preserving Greenwich Village's Heritage

Local residents and groups work hard to protect the Village. They want to keep its unique history and architecture.

Efforts to Protect Historic Areas

Since the 1960s, people have fought to preserve the Village. Jane Jacobs, a famous writer, helped protect the area from large development plans. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) has designated many parts of the Village as historic districts. This means that changes to buildings are limited to keep their original look.

The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP) is a group that works to protect the neighborhood. They have helped create new historic districts. These include the Gansevoort Market Historic District and the Weehawken Street Historic District. These areas protect unique buildings like old warehouses and cobblestone streets.

NYU's Growth and Community Concerns

Washington Mews in Greenwich Village

New York University (NYU) has a large campus in Greenwich Village. The university's growth has sometimes caused disagreements with local residents. People want to make sure new buildings fit the neighborhood's style.

For example, when NYU planned Furman Hall, community groups were concerned. They worried about a tall building near the historic Judson Memorial Church. NYU agreed to make the building shorter and restore historic facades. This showed a willingness to work with the community.

Another project, Founders Hall, also caused debate. NYU decided to keep and restore the facade of St. Ann's Church. This helped blend the new dorm with the old church. These efforts show the ongoing balance between growth and preservation in Greenwich Village.

Greenwich Village's Community and People

Greenwich Village is a diverse and lively neighborhood. It has a mix of people and a strong community feel.

Who Lives in Greenwich Village?

Greenwich Village is part of Manhattan Community District 2. The area has a high percentage of college-educated residents. Most people living here are adults. The neighborhood is known for having many same-sex couples.

The median household income in Greenwich Village is higher than the city average. This means that many residents have good incomes. The area is considered a high-income neighborhood.

Italian-American Heritage

Greenwich Village was once home to a large Italian-American community. Many Italian-Americans moved here in the 1930s. They came from places like Naples and Sicily. For many years, the Village had one of the biggest Italian-speaking communities in the U.S.

Things to See and Do in Greenwich Village

The Village offers many interesting places to visit and activities to enjoy.

Colleges and Schools in the Area

Greenwich Village has several colleges. New York University (NYU) has been here since the 1830s. Its buildings are around Washington Square Park. The New School also has a campus here. Its buildings are known for their modern design. The Cooper Union is located nearby at Astor Place. Pratt Institute also has a campus on 14th Street.

Parks and Recreation

Christopher Park, part of the Stonewall National Monument

The most famous park is Washington Square Park. It is often called the heart of the neighborhood. The Village also has smaller parks like Christopher Park and Minetta Triangle. There are playgrounds for kids, too.

"The Cage" is a famous basketball court. It's officially called the West Fourth Street Courts. Many basketball and handball players use these courts. It's a popular spot for streetball tournaments. The Grey Art Gallery at NYU shows contemporary art.

Arts and Entertainment Venues

Greenwich Village has a lively performing arts scene. There are many Off Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway theaters. The Blue Man Group performs at the Astor Place Theater. Jazz clubs like the Village Vanguard and the Blue Note host famous musicians. Other music clubs include The Bitter End. The Village even has its own orchestra.

Comedy clubs are also popular here. The Comedy Cellar is where many famous stand-up comedians started their careers.

Important Buildings and Offices

Several publications have offices in the Village. These include American Heritage and Fortune magazines. The National Audubon Society also has its headquarters here. The Salvation Army's former American headquarters is in the northern part of the Village.

Getting Around Greenwich Village

The Village is easy to reach by public transportation.

Subway and Bus Connections

Greenwich Village is served by several New York City Subway lines. These include the Eighth Avenue, Sixth Avenue, Canarsie, and Broadway–Seventh Avenue lines. Key subway stations are 14th Street/Sixth Avenue, 14th Street/Eighth Avenue, West Fourth Street–Washington Square, and Christopher Street–Stonewall.

Local New York City Bus routes also run through the neighborhood. These include the M55, M7, M11, M14, and M20. The PATH train also has stations in Greenwich Village. These are Christopher Street, Ninth Street, and 14th Street.

Education in Greenwich Village

The neighborhood has good schools and libraries.

Local Schools and Colleges

Greenwich Village has a high rate of college-educated residents. Most adults here have a college degree or higher. Elementary school students in the Village miss fewer school days than the city average. High school students also graduate on time more often.

Students in Greenwich Village are zoned for PS 3, Melser Charrette School, and PS 41, Greenwich Village School. They are also zoned for Baruch Middle School 104.

Public Libraries in the Village

Jefferson Market Library, once a courthouse, now serves as a branch of the New York Public Library.

The New York Public Library (NYPL) has two branches in Greenwich Village. The Jefferson Market Library is a beautiful building that was once a courthouse. It became a library in 1967. The Hudson Park branch is another library in the area. It was built in 1906.

Notable People from Greenwich Village

Many famous people have lived in Greenwich Village over the years.

Images for kids

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  453–461 Sixth Avenue in the Historic District

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  Bird's eye view of Greenwich Village, facing towards the Lower Manhattan skyline in 2017

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  MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village

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  The intersection of West 4th and West 12th Streets

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  Street signs at intersection of West 10th and West 4th Streets

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  Map of old Greenwich Village, circa 1766

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  Gay Street at the corner of Waverly Place

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  Whitney Museum of American Art's original location

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  The Cherry Lane Theatre is located in Greenwich Village.

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  The annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade is the world's largest Halloween parade.

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  The Stonewall Inn, a designated U.S. National Historic Landmark and National Monument.

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  Blue Note Jazz Club

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  The Washington Square Arch, an unofficial icon of Greenwich Village.

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  396–397 West Street at West 10th Street is a former hotel.

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  Washington Mews in Greenwich Village

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  Greenwich Village and nearby Manhattan neighborhoods are home to many same-sex couples.

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  Christopher Park, part of the Stonewall National Monument

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  West Village Post Office

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  Jefferson Market Library, once a courthouse, now serves as a branch of the New York Public Library.

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  Robert De Niro

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  Robert Downey Jr.

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  Hank Greenberg

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  Emma Stone

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• LGBTQ culture in New York City
• NYC Pride March
• New York Halloween Parade
• West Village, Manhattan
• East Village, Manhattan
• SoHo, Manhattan
• Washington Square Park

See also

In Spanish: Greenwich Village para niños