Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center
Interior Renovation
Greenwich Village
2024
Creating Space For History To Live On
OVERVIEW
The Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center is the first LGBTQ+ visitor center within the National Park Service.
It's opening in June 2024, marked a historic milestone for the community. Located at 51 Christopher Street, part of the original Stonewall Inn site, the SNMVC serves as a hub for education and celebration of the Stonewall Rebellion’s role in queer liberation. PrideLive, the client and driving force behind the project, entrusted EDG Architecture + Engineering to create a space that honors the legacy of Stonewall. Our design upgrades the structure to modern standards, creates intentional spaces for programming, and respectfully preserves the historic appearance.
BACKGROUND
- The Stonewall Inn Riots The 1969 Riots are considered the birthplace of the modern gay rights movement.
- Landmark Status 51 Christopher Street is landmarked on the city, state and federal level.
- National Monument In 2016, the 7.7 acre site of the Stonewall Riots was dedicated as a national monument.
APPROACH
Our design meticulously blends homages to what came before with modern architectural moves to create a meaningful space for all visitors.
Through extensive research and interviews, we uncovered significant details that informed our design choices—like the bricked-up passageway that once connected Stonewall’s two halves. Salvaged tin ceiling panels inspired a cutting-edge luminaire, while Amazon Music donated a vintage jukebox matching the model seen in the only known photo from inside Stonewall in that era. At every step, we made it our mission to celebrate the legacy of progress with careful attention to Landmark requirements while ensuring inclusivity with enhancements for ADA accessibility.
3D PRINTED LUMINAIRIES
Two one of a kind 3D printed luminaires designed by EDG and manufactured by Synthesis help tell the story of Stonewall in a modern way.
Resonance of Revolt Echoing the pattern of one of the only found objects in the space from the era of the riots (an unsalvageable tin ceiling), this 3D-printed luminaire serves as a poignant link to the tumultuous times of the riots and preserves the essence of the historic space for generations to come. Salvaging Lost Memories When the architects (EDG Architecture + Engineering) approached this project, they understood the importance of acknowledging the history of the space it’s self. Like many queer spaces, Stonewall Inn faced erasure and privacy concerns in the face of persecution. Furthermore, after the Stonewall Inn closed, the site housed other businesses and then sat vacant for at least 5 years. This left few tangible artifacts intact, and there is only one known photo from inside the bar.
IMPACT
The Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center fosters gathering in a modern space that makes intentional moves to stir reflection and educate patrons about the struggle for equality.
Interweaving historical artifacts, architectural homages, and critical structural upgrades creates longevity for the historic building and the stories within. EDG is honored to have played a role in restoring this pivotal landmark and creating a space to celebrate the work of the legendary activists who found their community inside.
“EDG imagined and designed a space that blends historic significance with a modern-day experience, and that has already been named one of the top new museums in the US. ”
Recognition for Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center
