East Village in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

27 Cooper Sq.

Bowery Arts & Beats

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 17, 2016

1. 27 Cooper Sq. Marker

Inscription.
You are standing in front of an 1844 townhouse which was converted in the 1960s from a cold-water flop to home and gathering place for a newly developing, inclusive avant-garde. Poets Amiri Bakara and Hetty Jones hosted writers, painters, dancers, filmmakers, and musicians. At their notorious parties, you might have met Alan Ginsburg or Frank O’Hara or Larry Rivers or Jonas Mekas or Cecil Taylor. It was here that Baraka began the influential Black Arts Movement, a lasting inspiration for African American artists in all genres.

Children flourished, pianos came in through windows, and saxophonist Archie Schepp’s rehearsals stopped traffic across Cooper Square. Elizabeth Murray stayed until her paintings were too large to navigate the steep, winding stairs. Later generations found their way here to break bread, argue art and politics, and continue to explore barrier-breaking forms of American art.

Erected 2016 by Bowery Alliance of Neighbors.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 40° 43.657′ N, 73° 59.472′ W.

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Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in East Village. It is at the intersection of Cooper Square and East 5th Street, on the right when traveling north on Cooper Square. One of more than 60 waysides in a "Windows on the Bowery" series. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 East 5th Street, New York NY 10003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Hippest Place on Earth (a few steps from this marker); 27 Cooper Square (within shouting distance of this marker); America’s First Freedom Rider (within shouting distance of this marker); Vauxhall Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); Paresis Hall (within shouting

Photographed by Larry Gertner, January 9, 2019

2. 27 Cooper Sq. marker

The marker is across East 5th Street from the actual 27 Cooper Square address. The arrow helpfully points to the site.

distance of this marker); Manuel Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Merchants House of New York (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); New York’s “Little Germany” (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

27 Cooper Sq. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 2016

3. 27 Cooper Sq.

1939

4. 27 Cooper Sq. during the 1939 NYC photo survey

27 Cooper Sq. in July 2016 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 2016

5. 27 Cooper Sq. in July 2016

Photographed by Larry Gertner

6. Inset

Amiri Baraka (1934-2014)

7. Inset

Archie Shepp (b. 1937)

8. Inset

Elizabeth Murray (1940-2007)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 556 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on April 17, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1. submitted on October 11, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 2. submitted on March 15, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 11, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 6, 7, 8. submitted on April 5, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.