Too 13th Street

In the early 20th century, Uptown editors would regularly reject articles and stories as being “too Thirteenth Street”, meaning too left wing or avant-guard. The presence of periodicals such as The Liberator, The Masses, The Dial and the headquarters of the Communist Party all contributed to this radical reputation and over the years this literary aura was maintained by writers Marianne Moore, Edmund Wilson, Anais Nin and Allen Ginsberg. Modern Art was given a major voice on 13th Street by The Downtown Gallery, and this pioneering tradition was continued by the presence of artists Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Louise Nevelson, Frank Stella, Keith Haring and David Wojnarowicz. Theater has also made its mark with repertory theaters like the Thirteenth Street and the Classic Stage Company. Home to both the Artistic Club, one of New York’s first gay bars and the New York LGBT Community Center, 13th Street has contributed to the Village’s long-standing reputation for social tolerance. 13th Street is a living metaphor for the iconoclastic Village!