Menu

About Us

Carnegie Hill Neighbors is a non-profit neighborhood organization, 501 (c)(3), that preserves, protects, and advocates on behalf of Carnegie Hill and its residents.

One of New York City’s most attractive and varied neighborhoods, Carnegie Hill has been likened to a village within our great city. Peppered with a wide range of architectural styles, from Civil War-era clapboard houses to late 19th century rowhouses, from early 20th century mansions, remnants of industrial revolution wealth, to the quintessential pre-war apartment building, replete with beamed ceilings and wide plank floors. The area is also home to several significant institutions both secular and religious, cultural and educational. Finally, Carnegie Hill boasts an array of schools to serve all ages, in the public, private and parochial school systems.

Nearing our fiftieth year, Carnegie Hill Neighbors was formed in response to the threat of high rise construction and to preserve the historic character and architecture of the neighborhood. Today, we continue this work as the voice of the neighborhood, at work to influence the scale and context of new building proposals, and to ensure sensitive renovations and alterations to landmarked buildings. We also work to enforce the zoning laws where infractions can have a pronounced impact on the character of our neighborhood.

Since its founding, Carnegie Hill Neighbors has developed and deployed numerous quality of life programs, including: security patrols, environmental guidance, cleaner streets, landscaping, tree care, and a host of community events. Chief among our aims is to remain a volunteer-centered organization, dedicated to maintaining our area. Carnegie Hill Neighbors has proved that by working together, active and engaged residents can shape their neighborhood into a truly satisfying place in which to live.

Our

Historic

District

The Carnegie Hill catchment area extends from 86th Street to 98th Street, from the east side of Fifth Avenue to just west of Third Avenue. The map, shown to the left, highlights the  historic districts within Carnegie Hill. The two original designations between 91st and 95th streets were made in 1974. In 1993, an explained district was made to incorporate the two into a larger whole, and last, in 1998 the jewelbox district of Hardenbergh-Rhinelander was designated five years later.

The Carnegie Hill Architectural Guide, published by CHN in 2008, describes in detail close to 400 buildings in the neighborhood. This paperback volume is packed with information both historical and decorative and even as the neighborhood changes, the historical detail of the landmarks described within remain the same. Sturdy and portable, the book furnishes the reader with a collection of visual cues to look out for as well as a menu of self guided walking tours to follow alone or with a companion.

The Carnegie Hill Architectural Guide is good source material for students of architecture and design, the decorative and applied arts as well as students of New York City history among other academics pursuits, both accredited and as one’s hobby or passion.

Stop by our office to pick up a copy. It makes a lovely housewarming gift.

Mission Statement

Carnegie Hill Neighbors serves the community that spans the blocks from 86th street up to 98th street and the avenues in between, from the [east side of] Fifth Avenue up to, but including, [the west side of] Third Avenue. Since 1970, it has been the organization’s endeavor to preserve the residential character and architectural heritage of Carnegie Hill through education and advocacy.

Quality of life programs address quotidian concerns such as the beauty and security of the area.  Speaker forums and community meetings educate homeowners and co-operative agencies on topics to do with the maintenance and care of their properties.

CHN Board of Directors

Because Carnegie Hill Neighbors is a staffed organization, active on many fronts with a community-minded board of directors, it is in the best position to address neighborhood concerns—from dirty sidewalks to threatening towers.

The CHN Board of Directors oversees the work of the organization. It is a working board with most members in charge of a committee or activity.  The board is comprised of members who are passionate about the community and their areas of interest, be it landmarks, streetscape, tree care, the environment, safety, fund raising, membership development, communications or just spreading the word about how CHN protects and improves Carnegie Hill every day.

Lo van der Valk* – President
Mark Goldsmith* – Vice President
Samantha Fremont Smith* – Secretary
Greg Warner – Finance Chair

David Stoll* – Chairman

Suzie Aijala
Irene Aldridge
Sarah Bramwell
Heather Brandes
Mark Brookes
Jenifer Brooks
Barbara Calabrese
Barbara Coffey*
Dixie De Luca

Susan Gottridge*
Anne Haubenstricker
Julie Herzig
Ivan Hrazdira
Jurate Kazickas
Linda Kurtz
Virginia B. Pitman

Patricia Preston
Molly Rand
Kevin Roe
April Shelton
George Stonbely*
Bonnie Lane Webber

Emeritus:
David Balderston
Cynthia MacGrath
Ronald Spencer

*Executive Committee

Letter from the Executive Director

Having settled into our new home base on Madison Avenue, Carnegie Hill Neighbors is stronger than ever in its resolve to preserve and protect our piece of New York living history. From our vantage point, as a program based organization, we have the unique opportunity to not only preserve our neighborhood character but improve our streets as well.

Officially launched in Winter 2018, Clean Streets is a complimentary service to the neighborhood, similar in mode of deployment and response to our Graffiti and Sticker Removal Task Force. In partnership with an uptown nonprofit that provides support to young men in pursuit of a new path, we’ve developed a paid, basic training program vital to an array of vocational careers. Clean Streets is a complementary service to the rapid graffiti removal program.

Here at Carnegie Hill Neighbors, we feel the organization is at the nerve center of the community. Centrally located, our office is in the know on the most up to date happenings in the area. We believe we have our finger on the pulse in the streets and on that of our citizens. We run the breadth of programming here with a small staff and a large pool of dedicated volunteers. Our board of directors is a comprehensive mix of Carnegie Hill residents passionate about our mission and all with a vested interest in the health of the neighborhood. Each one of our board members recommit their support and innovation to CHN on a regular basis. In this vein, our board has been working on a selection of new and exciting events in service to the community and ready to take our 50th year incorporated by storm.

Stay tuned for more community based entertainment geared to all ages for the fall of 2018 and beyond.

Browse our website, and keep it in your browser to check for community bulletins and updates. Stop into the office. We have an open door policy from 10 am to 6 pm during the week to ask questions, get answers, peak into our gift shop or pick up a complimentary newsletter. We are eager to share our plans for keeping your home safe, clean and vibrant with retail options, cultural points of interests open and accessible and most of all, an enjoyable place to live because it’s our home too.

See you around the neighborhood!

Joanna Cawley
Executive Director, Carnegie Hill Neighbors

Staff

1326 Madison Ave
Garden Level
New York, NY | 10128
Tel: 212-996-5520

Lo van der Valk – President
lvandervalk@chneighbors.org​

Joanna Cawley – Executive Director
joanna@chneighbors.org​

Stephon Wynn – Office and Marketing Manager/Accounts Payable
stephon@chneighbors.org

Alexa Williams – Member Relations Manager
alexa@chneighbors.org

Josephine Mazur – Quality of Life Manager
josephine@chneighbors.org

Haiba Hamilton – Bookkeeper
haiba@chneighbors.org

Events
events@chneighbors.org​

​General Inquiries
info@chneighbors.org