Stonewall National Monument is located in Christopher Street Park in Greenwich Village, across the ... [+]
The United States’ first ever LGBTQIA+ visitor center within the National Park Service opens in New York City on Friday, June 28.
The Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center sits adjacent to The Stonewall Inn, the notable bar where the modern gay rights movement reached a turning point in June 1969.
Part of NPS, the venue was built in space originally occupied by the bar, and celebrates the legacy of the Stonewall uprising with a contemporary exhibit, artifacts (including a working jukebox from 1969), a small theater, and more. Upcoming programming will include lectures, panels, in-person tours, art exhibitions and more. Of course, there’s also a gift shop offering plenty of Stonewall memorabilia.
A National Park Service ranger places rainbow flags on the fence at the Stonewall National Monument ... [+]
"The National Park Service eagerly anticipates the official opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in partnership with Pride Live on June 28," said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. "NPS staff are dedicated to sharing the history of the Stonewall Uprising and the ongoing struggle for LGBTQIA+ equality.”
In June 2016, President Obama designated a new national monument at the site of the Stonewall Uprising.
“I’m designating the Stonewall National Monument as the newest addition to America’s National Park System. Stonewall will be our first national monument to tell the story of the struggle for LGBT rights,” Obama shared in an statement. “I believe our national parks should reflect the full story of our country, the richness and diversity and uniquely American spirit that has always defined us. That we are stronger together. That out of many, we are one.”
Seven years later, the monument is a reality, thanks to a combination of government support, corporate and celebrity sponsors and the leadership by two queer women of color: Pride Live Co-Founders Diana Rodriguez and Ann Marie Gothard.
The Stonewall Inn nightclub raid outside the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street in Greenwich ... [+]
"The journey to create the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center has been a truly remarkable and landmark moment," said Gothard."This required the tireless support of countless partners who are deeply committed to preserving history. With the opening of the Visitor Center, we pay homage to the brave individuals behind the historic Stonewall Rebellion. We hope it stands as an enduring and resilient symbol and serves as a beacon for generations to come, providing the unique opportunity to step foot on the site where history unfolded and where the fight for LGBTQIA+ equality was ignited."
For an immersive experience, the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project, an award-winning initiative committed to documenting historic sites, launched accompanying featured audio tours. Available via the Bloomberg Connects mobile app, the self-guided tour covers the vicinity of Stonewall National Monument. Additional thematic tours focusing on 1970s lesbian activism and transgender history, guiding listeners to physical locations and streetscapes where LGBT history was made.
A rendering of the exterior of Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center
"As historic preservationists with over 30 years of experience documenting LGBT history, we are proud to make an invisible history visible through our digital guide on the Bloomberg Connects app,” said Ken Lustbader, co-director of the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project.
The Stonewall Visitor Center monument promises to be a destination for locals and tourists alike.
"Booking.com is incredibly proud to be a Founding Partner of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, making it easier for visitors to learn more about a significant piece of history for the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement, in one of the most popular travel destinations in the world," said Arjan Dijk , CMO and Senior Vice President of Booking.com.
Those who can’t make it to Stonewall yet, can also visit the NPS’ Stonewall website for educational videos, photos and more.
The Cristopher Street stop added Stonewall Station to its name on June 28, 2024
In honor of the new visitor’s center, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) renamed the nearby 1 train stop to Cristopher Street-Stonewall Station on Friday, June 28.
Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center at 51 Christopher St. is free to visit, with tickets bookable online. The Stonewall Inn next door at 53 Cristopher St. is still an operational bar and open to patrons 21 and older.
