The East Village of New York City — traditionally part of the Greater Lower East Side — earned its reputation as a countercultural haven in the years following WWII, however the neighborhood’s distinct progressive character dates back to the mid-seventeenth century as host to one of America’s earliest “mixed” neighborhoods, Bouwerij Village.
Join the Lower East Side History Project and explore the 400 years of radical history which makes this district so unique to the rest of city.
From farmland to modern-day gentrification, LESHP utilizes a decade of active research, rare maps, photos, documents, articles and oral histories not found elsewhere to provide a one-of-a-kind tour experience.
Topics include:
– Native American sites
– Dutch & English development
– Post-Revolution Aristocracy
– 19th century Immigration
– Labor, politics, civil rights, anarchism
– Post World War II gentrification
– Puerto Rican and Dominican immigration
– Experimental theater, jazz, Beatniks, punk rock
– Radical activism
– 21st century gentrification
– Much more
Visit on tour:
– Astor Place
– Cooper Union
– St. Marks Place
– The Yiddish Rialto (2nd Avenue)
– St. Marks Church
– Electric Circus, Filmore East
– Former union halls and social clubs
– Old restaurants, shops and theaters
-Tompkins Square Park
-Alphabet City
– Landmarks and sites of interest
– Much more
Available as a private tour:
Private tours start at only:
$200 for up to four guests (1.5 to 2 hour tour)
+$20 per person above that (6 guests=$140, etc.)
Group walking tour fees (12 or more guests, 1.5-2 hours):
-$15pp
School groups (K-12):
-$12/per student thereafter (teachers/chaperones free!)
Meet Here:
Location: Astor Place (Meet at “The Cube,” E. 8th Street and Lafayette Street)
Directions: 4, 6 to Astor Place or R, W to 8th Street/NYU
View Google map/get directions
Look for this sculpture:
Book this tour:
You can book now and pay by Zelle, Venmo, or in cash on day of the tour.