The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Culture & Lifestyle›LGBTQ+›Stonewall Inn
Culture & Lifestyle • LGBTQ+

Stonewall Inn

The Stonewall Inn is a historic gay bar in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City, best known as the site of the 1969 Stonewall uprising.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Stonewall Inn is a historic gay bar located at 53 Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City. It is best known as the site of the 1969 Stonewall uprising, a police raid and six days of unrest that began on June 28, 1969. The uprising is widely regarded as a turning point in the modern LGBTQ rights movement in the United States.

History

The Stonewall Inn occupies buildings at 51–53 Christopher Street in Greenwich Village. The buildings were originally constructed in 1843 and 1846 as horse stables. The location later became a gay bar before the 1969 police raid.

Stonewall uprising

The police raid on June 28, 1969, led to resistance by patrons and local residents, with unrest lasting several days into early July. The events are treated as a landmark moment in LGBTQ history.

Legacy

Stonewall became a symbol of resistance and a reference point for later Pride marches and LGBTQ activism. The site is now recognized as a major historic place associated with civil rights in the United States.

Preservation and recognition

The Stonewall Inn has received multiple heritage designations, including National Historic Landmark status and inclusion in Stonewall National Monument. The Stonewall National Monument was established in 2016. The site remains an operating bar and historic landmark.

Key facts

  • The Stonewall Inn is a historic gay bar in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, at 53 Christopher Street.
  • It was the site of a police raid and six days of unrest beginning on June 28, 1969, known as the Stonewall uprising.
  • The uprising is considered a catalyst for the modern LGBTQ rights movement.
  • The site was originally built in the 1840s as horse stables.
  • The Stonewall Inn is a National Historic Landmark and part of the Stonewall National Monument.
🍁
Canadian context

Stonewall is significant for Canadian readers because it is one of the best-known events in global LGBTQ history and influenced Pride movements and LGBTQ rights activism in Canada and internationally.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Stonewall Inn?
A historic gay bar in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, best known as the site of the 1969 Stonewall uprising.
Why is Stonewall Inn important?
It is widely seen as the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ rights movement in the United States.
When did the Stonewall uprising begin?
It began on June 28, 1969, after a police raid on the bar.
Where is Stonewall Inn located?
At 53 Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City.
Is Stonewall Inn still open?
Yes. It is described in recent sources as operating again as a bar and historic site.

References

  1. NYC LGBTQ Historic Sites Project — https://www.nyclgbtsites.org/site/stonewall-inn-christopher-park/
    Supports: Location and description of the 1969 uprising at the Stonewall Inn and nearby Christopher Park.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Stonewall-Inn
    Supports: Basic identification of Stonewall Inn as a gay bar and its role in the June 1969 uprising.
  3. PBS American Experience — https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/stonewall-inn-through-years/
    Supports: History of the site and its continued operation as a bar and landmark.
  4. National Park Service — https://www.nps.gov/ston/learn/historyculture/upload/STON_Foundation-Document.pdf
    Supports: Stonewall National Monument, dates of the uprising, and historic significance of the site.
  5. New York State Parks — https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/stonewallinn/details.aspx/1000
    Supports: Stonewall uprising dates, significance, and state historic site recognition.
  6. National Park Service — https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/stonewall-national-monument-landscape-976163.htm
    Supports: Original 19th-century building use as horse stables and site description.
  7. National Park Service — https://www.nps.gov/ston/learn/historyculture.htm
    Supports: Broader historical significance of the Stonewall events.
  8. National Park Service — https://www.nps.gov/ston/learn/historyculture.htm
    Supports: Historic significance and modern civil rights context.