OHNY Volunteers Sound Off: Why are you an Open House New Yorker?
Volunteers have powered Open House New York’s signature festival, OHNY Weekend, from its earliest days. In 2003, the first OHNY Weekend was made possible with the assistance of 278 volunteers. In 2025, the 23rd annual festival was supported by more than 1,000 volunteers who collectively contributed 4,512 hours of service during OHNY Weekend—that’s equivalent to nearly 188 full days!
We are honored that so many members of our volunteer community return year after year to contribute their time and effort to making the festival a welcoming experience for all. We asked volunteers who achieved 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of service during the 2025 OHNY Weekend—recently honored at our annual Volunteer Milestone Celebration—to share why they are Open House New Yorkers.
Meredith Lewin
15-year OHNY Volunteer
“I’m an Open House New Yorker because I was born on 168th Street & Fort Washington Avenue, and New York is in my blood.”
Hal Eskinazi
20-year OHNY Volunteer
“I love seeing new and different architecture and translating my excitement to those around me. It never ceases to surprise me how many people then begin to “get the bug” through my excitement and want to explore more.”
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Margot Jacqz
20-year OHNY Volunteer
“I love this city. I find the real gems are the projects that make the city work — city systems and manufacturers. They haven’t been hidden exactly, but the doors were closed and surrounded by mystery. OHNY has helped to bring them to the public light.”
Lamont Jones
5-year OHNY Volunteer
“It’s a great way to give back to a city that has been so good to me. I love the opportunity to experience a version of NYC that the world generally doesn’t know about. Every year is a reminder that I have much more to learn!”
Michelle Paulin
5-year OHNY Volunteer
“It’s amazing to be given the opportunity to learn more about the city. New York has been fascinating to me. Open House New York provides the perfect setting to explore, learn, and connect with others.”
Roberta Levine
10-year OHNY Volunteer
“I love sharing the magic of New York City. Being part of OHNY allows me to help others discover the city’s hidden, historic, and extraordinary places—spaces many wouldn’t otherwise experience. It’s a joy and a privilege to be part of that.”
Nina Clasen
15-year OHNY Volunteer
“I love the city, its buildings, and people. I love sharing my passion for architecture, design, and New York with others.”
Dmitry Naidionov
10-year OHNY Volunteer
“For a long time, the city was my daily landscape. Even living in New Jersey, I spent every spare moment in New York. Now that I have a family and rarely go into the city, I’ve lost that sense of constant discovery. OHNY gives me a dedicated window back into NY; it’s my opportunity to reconnect with the city that means a lot to me, and help others experience the same excitement I felt when I first started finding the city’s hidden layers.”
Giselle Muñoz
5-year OHNY Volunteer
“NYC’s grandest sites shouldn’t feel inaccessible to anyone!”
Clinton Greiner
15-year OHNY Volunteer
“I love having a ‘backstage pass’ to the quirks of the city.”
Bridget Gramling
10-year OHNY Volunteer
“I’m an OHNYer because I love architecture, and I’m fascinated by how things work behind the scenes. The tours, the talks, the events…I love all of it!”
Cleopatra Matos
OHNY Volunteer – 2025 Rookie of the Year Awardee
“I love the work that Open House New York does. Their mission to bring transparency to places once closed off and renew awareness to places that had been forgotten is simply inspiring and something I am wholeheartedly proud to be a part of.”