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Greenwich Village Block Associations is a coalition of member block associations in Greenwich Village dedicated to preserving and improving the quality of life in our historic residential community.
In order to accomplish this mission we:
• Meet regularly to discuss issues of community importance,
• Serve as an information and support network for members,
• Monitor and lobby public officials, government, as well as law enforcement agencies,
• Exercise a voice in decision making on behalf of our community,
• Disseminate vital information to the community,
• Encourage the formation of new block associations,
• Encourage a healthy mix in the business community
" Greenwich" as a Manhattan name was first mentioned in 1713. On March 28, 1713, Falkert Van Hoese of "Greenwich in the Bowry" was ordered to remove a fence, blocking the free grazing of his neighbor's cattle. We may conclude that the name, "Greenwich" was used prior to this occasion. In 1679 Yellis Mandeville left Brooklyn for Manhattan and purchased land in what is now the West Village. A village named Greenwyck (which vanished from maps after 1674) was located near his former home.
Mandeville used the Brooklyn name for his new property. Eventually, the entire West Village became the property of Sir Peter Warren, who was considered a privateer (pirate) in some circles. Since a memorial in his honor is installed in Westminster Abbey, he was evidently held in high regard in other circles. His estate grew to about 300 acres through a series of purchases. His wife, Lady Warren, became a social force in the community.
The first Warren home stood on a hill (long since leveled ) overlooking the Hudson River. A second home was built in an area bounded by Charles Street, West 4th Street, and Bleecker Street. In 1819, it was purchased by Abraham Van Nest and torn down in 1865, the year following his death. For a time, the north part of that section of Charles Street was called Van Nest Place, and the south side was called Charles Street, a confusion now rectified.
Villagers are justly proud of their community and its heritage. It would be difficult to think of a community in the United States with more history per square foot. During the past century Greenwich Village has been a crossroads for the American arts and it continues in this role today.
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