As a child I played with neighborhood kids in what I would describe as a working-class neighborhood. While artists, such as Hans Kleine, and poets, such as Alen Ginsberg would drop by our apartment.
Childhood in the Village
New York City
Hudson and NYC Skyline
When I walk home from where we park the car along the shore of the Hudson River in lower Manhattan, I sometimes photograph the sunsets and sunrises.
Also posted on my wife’s site https://port4u.net/2023/07/09/hudson-river/
Barrow Street
Barrow Street borders the south end of Saint Luke’s in the Fields Church. It was once called Reason Street after a writing by Thomas Payne. Payne was an atheist. So, Saint Luke’s renamed the street after John Barrow instead. Barrow was an artist who made a painting of the church.
My History
I also tell of my history in the Village during my history walk in the second half of the 20th century and the characters and creative people I have known.
Open for Spring Walks
Open for tours
It is easy to maintain social distancing for the small groups of 1-2 people that I will lead through historic Greenwich Village. I recommend early morning walks through the almost deserted streets. It is a lovely time of year and the flowers are beautiful.
Short Break
I will be away for 3 weeks visiting my mother-in-law, sister-in-law and her family in Sydney, Australia from September 24 to October 16, 2018. You may book tours before and after those dates.
Marc (fat baby in the middle) with neighbors by Horatio Street, 1940’s.
Dark
Greenwich Village history is not all artists and Bohemians. There is also a dark side. Come join my walk to hear more.
Washington Square
Abingdon Square
Save the Stones
A letter I wrote was published in our local West View, July 2018:
On Gansevoort street between Hudson and Greenwich streets the original 150-year-old paving stones are being replaced by crudely cut multi colored stones with a band of black stones running down the middle. The Meatpacking District is a historic district and the original cobble stones should have been retained. I have seen in the past when these streets are dug up, instead of lifting these stones up a large cutting wheel just cuts right thru them.
These new multi colored stones look out of place here and have no business being put into a historic area. The original stones have a very high value. Where did they go? Who is making money by installing these cheap garish new stones and whose paying?
New Cobbles at Gansevoort Street, June 2018
The cobbles on Gansevoort Street looked like this
May 1, 1961 Protest at Washington Square
57 years ago in May the City said that people could not play music in Washington Square Park any more. I and many demonstrators marched. The first time the police beat people with their clubs. After several demonstrations they rescinded the order and to this day people are free to play music in Washington Square Park. This is a copy of the article in the NY Times.
Marc's Village Walk 