Stonewall Inn may be designated NY landmark

New York

WITH its burned-out neon sign and darkened windows, there was little to distinguish the Stonewall Inn from any other West Village bar when it was raided the night of June 28, 1969.

Nowadays, that bright red sign not only works, but colourful posters and rainbow flags mark the location as a historic battleground for gay rights. Soon, those adornments may be joined by a bronze plaque, as the city prepares to recognise the squat buildings on Christopher Street that housed the Stonewall Inn as an official city landmark.

On Tuesday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission is scheduled to vote on adding the property to its calendar, the first step towards designating it as a landmark worthy of protection. Though the buildings, 51-53 Christopher St, lie within the Greenwich Village Historic District in low…