Lower East Side History Project (LESHP) is an award-winning organization, professional educators and researchers, movie & TV consultants and, multi-generational Lower East Siders. Everyone involved in our organization are actually from the neighborhood and active in the community.
Who we are
LESHP programs are organized and operated by community historians, educators and preservationists dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the history, culture and community of the Lower East Side. Everyone involved with LESHP are native or veteran New Yorkers who are active community members who take great pride in their work and neighborhood.
Our founder
LESHP was founded by Eric Ferrara, a fourth-generation Lower East Sider, author of several NYC history books, and a popular lecturer. Mr. Ferrara is also a movie & television consultant and personality, who has worked on History Chanel, PBS, Nat Geo, and much more.
Our mission
LESHP’s mission is to document the Lower East Side’s great history comprehensively and accurately and utilize this information to raise awareness of the Lower East Side’s historic significance and influence in world history. The Project has been collecting important data since 2001, and countless students, journalists, preservationists, media outlets, educators and history junkies continue to utilize our information.
What we do
LESHP provides educational programming to K-12 and university level students, public walking tours, media consultation, research services, and special events, lectures and presentations.
How we are funded
LESHP is entirely self funded via public walking tours and various programming.
Awards
2009 – Citizens Committee for New York City
2012 – Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation
2014 – Acker Award
BOARD OF ADVISORS:
Al Orensanz, Ph.D
Executive Director,
Angel Orensanz Foundation & Center
Margaret Halsey Gardiner
Executive Director,
Merchant’s House Museum
Andrew Berman
Executive Director,
Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation
Tamara Greenfield
Executive Director,
Fourth Arts Block, 4th Street Cultural District
Jan Hanvik
Executive Director,
Clemente Soto Velez Cultural & Educational Center
and
Educational Committee member,
The NYC Collaborative for Fairness and Equity in Philanthropy
Bill Millard, Ph.D
Published journalist, editor and architectural historian
Alan Solomon
Local business owner, historian
Mary Tierney
Board of Directors,
Theater for the New City
Steve Warnick
Executive Director,
P.S. 122
Partners:
Citizens Committee for New York City
Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy
Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation