Bohemia & Rebellion: Greenwich Village in the Early 20th Century

On a cold night in 1917, a group of rebellious artists and free thinkers climbed the Washington Square Arch and declared Greenwich Village an independent republic (if only for the night). But beyond this legendary act of defiance, the Village fostered a radical movement during the early 20th century that forever reshaped American culture. Get ready to take a journey back in time to explore the world of poets, revolutionaries, and dreamers who called this neighborhood home.

Join New York Adventure Club for a walk through Greenwich Village to uncover the early 20th-century Bohemian movement, when avant-garde artists, literary giants, and political radicals turned these historic streets into a hotbed of cultural transformation.

Led by historian Marc Catapano, our unique experience will include:

• A visit to the Provincetown Playhouse where Eugene O’Neill’s daring plays changed theater history
• A stop at the Whitney Studio Club — the birthplace of the Ashcan School painters, including John Sloan and Edward Hopper, who captured urban life in bold, social realist art
• The gathering spots of radical thinkers like John Reed and Emma Goldman, whose movements shook the nation
• A walk by the former sites of whimsical Village tea rooms, including Will o’ the Wisp and the Mad Hatter, where artists and writers exchanged ideas over endless cups of tea
• A discussion of the Village’s hidden creative spaces, from underground speakeasies to groundbreaking art studios, where innovation and rebellion thrived

Get ready to step into a world of creativity, rebellion, and inspiration!

*Please bring a water bottle and comfortable pair of shoes as we’ll be doing a lot of walking!

**This tour concludes at Sheridan Square on W Washington Place between 6th and 7th Avenues

About Marc

Marc Catapano is a Licensed NYC Sightseeing Guide, active member of the Guides Association of New York City (GANYC), and the proprietor behind Flowers in the Concrete Walking Tours.

Born and raised in New York, Marc has spent years roaming the city’s streets, uncovering its secrets and sharing them with friends and visitors. Marc’s career includes writing and editing for Interview Magazine and Starlog Press, producing for MTV, award-winning scriptwriting for Nickelodeon, and freelance work for Oxygen Media and Discovery Networks. He was Vice-President of video content for Steve Van Zandt’s Renegade Media and even had a spell as a stand-up comedian. Marc’s tours—Beatnik Greenwich Village, East Village Underground, and Greenwich Village A Go Go—blend his creative talents with his passion for New York’s history and culture, offering a unique and engaging experience for all.

Disclaimer

Event takes place rain or shine.

By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.

Categories: In-Person, Neighborhood Tours