Chinatown in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Lost New York Gem
German Winter Garden/Windsor Theatre
— 43-47 Bowery —
On this site in the mid-1800s, stood the German Winter Garden (aka Volks Garden), a forgotten treasure of mid-19th century New York’s Kleindeutschland, then the third most dense concentration of Germans in the world. Known for its music and family-friendly ambiance, it was one of several stately German theatres, banks and beer gardens on the Bowery, Little Germany’s cultural hub. built circa 1855, the Winter Garden’s glass-encased dome was one of the first to use cast-iron rib framing.
In 1864, the structure was replaced by the 3,500 seat New Stadt Theatre, which became the Windsor Theatre in 1878. Billed as the “Largest Theatre in America”, it alternated over the years between German drama, classical music and opera. Yiddish theatre, and plays by Shakespeare and Ireland’s Dion Boucicault. Appearing there were “Buffalo Bill” Cody, Italian actor Antonio Maiori, Jacob Adler as the Jewish King Lear, magic legend Herrmann the Great and matinee idol James O’Neill (Eugene’s father) in The Count of Monte Cristo. Decades before Broadway became integrated, one could also have seen Callender’s Minstrels, an African American minstrel troupe, featuring America’s first widely popular Black comedian, Billy Nersands.
In 1910, the Windsor was torn down to make way for the Manhattan Bridge Plaza.
-David Mulkins, Historian/Educator
Erected 2016 by Bowery Alliance of Neighbors.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment.
Location. 40° 42.931′ N, 73° 59.78′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Chinatown. Marker is on Bowery near Manhattan Bridge entrance ramp, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Bowery Boys (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bowery Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington Drank Here! (within shouting distance of this marker); High and Low Art (within shouting distance of this marker); Stephen Foster (within shouting distance of this marker); Renaissance-Inspired Bank for the Working Class (within shouting distance of this marker); Black Horse Inn (within shouting distance of this marker); Windows On The Bowery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
Regarding Lost New York Gem. One of more than sixty entries in the “Windows on the Bowery” series.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 508 times since then and 58 times this year. Last updated on April 17, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 4, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.