Off-Off-Broadway Venue Caffe Cino Receives National Historic Status

Governor Cuomo announced this weekend that Caffe Cino, along with 20 other properties, were recommended to State and National Registers of Historic Places.

The governor said, "The Empire State proudly celebrates its diverse culture and rich heritage, and with the addition of these significant sites to the Registers of Historic Places, we will continue to honor all of the great things that make New York, New York. Listing these landmarks will honor the contributions made by so many New Yorkers throughout our vast history, and helps advance efforts to preserve and improve these important historic sites for future generations."

Built in 1877 in Manhattan, the building housed Caffe Cino from December 1958 to March 1968, which was the first important venue to regularly stage off-off-Broadway productions and was also critical in the development of gay theater and served as a place of support for gay playwrights during a time where depicting homosexuality on stage was illegal.

Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Rose Harvey said of the new listings, "State and National Register listing is an important step in appreciating the value of our history. Historic preservation is an excellent tool to create jobs, promote tourism, expand housing and encourage private investment, all while preserving natural resources."

To check out the rest of the list, click here, and to listen to a recent podcast interview about the Caffe Cino, follow this link!

Photo by James D. Gossage