Here at Stonewall National Monument, history isn’t just remembered. It lives. This 7.7-acre area in Greenwich Village marks a pivotal moment. It includes the Stonewall Inn, Christopher Park and the surrounding streets. This is where the Stonewall Riots ignited on June 28, 1969. These riots are widely seen as the beginning of the modern LGBTQ rights movement in the United States.
Stonewall National Monument is the first U.S. national monument dedicated to LGBTQ rights and history. President Barack Obama made it official on June 24, 2016. But the story here goes back much further.
Christopher Park within the monument has its own interesting past. Back in the 1630s, this land was part of a tobacco farm. Wouter van Twiller, who was the Director-General of New Netherland at the time, settled it. Over time, the land was divided into different farms.
The street layout here is unique because it didn’t quite fit the Commissioners’ Plan of 1811. This created blocks with odd angles and triangular shapes. By the early 19th century, Christopher Street was densely populated.
In 1835, a massive fire swept through New York. The small triangle of land at Christopher, Grove and 4th Streets burned down. It was then turned into Christopher Street Park. Architects Calvert Vaux and Samuel Parsons Jr. designed the park. It opened in 1837. The Stonewall Inn started as two stables across the street in 1843.
Later, the widening of 7th Avenue South and the subway construction split the neighborhood. By the 1940s, the area had declined a bit. But the 1950s brought a social change. Beat poets moved into Greenwich Village. The Stonewall Inn became home to different restaurants from the 1930s to 1966.
Then, in 1966, the Stonewall Inn Restaurant closed due to a fire. It reopened as a tavern in 1967 under the ownership of the Genovese crime family. The tavern operated without a liquor license. However, a police officer was reportedly bribed to turn a blind eye.
The NYPD raided the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969. They claimed the inn didn’t have a liquor license. This raid sparked riots that lasted for days. Thousands protested against the police action. The riots cemented the Stonewall Inn’s importance as a gay icon. Christopher Park became a gathering place. People discussed the events of the previous day there.
The park needed renovation in the 1970s. The Friends of Christopher Park was formed to help. In 1983, New York City Parks started a project to restore the park to its original state. Architect Philip Winslow added new plants and replaced benches and other fixtures.
In 1992, the Gay Liberation statue was placed in Christopher Park. It features four white figures in relaxed poses. There are also monuments to Civil War fighters in the park. The fence around the park dates back to the late 19th century.
Meanwhile, the Stonewall Inn changed owners several times. In the 1990s, it returned to being a gay bar.
In 1999, Stonewall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was the first listing dedicated to LGBTQ accomplishments. In 2000, it became a National Historic Landmark. In 2015, the Stonewall Inn became a New York City landmark. It was the first city landmark to honor an LGBT icon.
After that, local residents pushed for national monument status. The Trust for Public Land helped prepare the property. On June 24, 2016, President Obama designated Stonewall National Monument. It became the first national monument for an LGBT historic site.
The monument includes the Stonewall Inn, Christopher Street Park, and nearby streets. The National Park Foundation raised money for a visitor center and other improvements. In 2017, a rainbow LGBT flag was raised at the monument.
In June 2022, plans were announced to build a visitor center at 51 Christopher Street. It opened on June 28, 2024. The Christopher Street-Sheridan Square subway station was renamed Christopher Street-Stonewall station the same day.
However, in 2025, references to transgender and queer people were removed from the NPS website. This sparked protests and efforts to restore that history. The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative condemned the erasure. They emphasized the contributions of trans individuals like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera.
Today, Stonewall National Monument stands as a reminder. It symbolizes the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights. It’s a place to reflect on the past and look toward a more inclusive future.