A note from our Executive Director
Dear Open House New Yorker,
A group of 40 people stand across from City Hall on a Broadway street corner as the night-shift crew from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection demonstrates how they detect leaks in the city’s water pipes.
It’s midnight on Friday, October 17, and the 2025 OHNY Weekend kicks off by shining a light on work that is largely invisible yet essential to the health of our city.
This is why Open House New York matters.
Our public programs—from talks with agency commissioners to the five-borough OHNY Weekend festival—illuminate what it truly takes to make this complex city function. We don’t just tour buildings; we reveal the essential systems that keep 8.5 million lives moving.
As we approach our 25th anniversary, we are compelled to ask: What does it mean, at this crucial moment, to offer unparalleled access to New York?
When we open a door, we invite New Yorkers to participate in civic life of the city. We connect them to the place they call home and encourage them to consider, in their own small way, how to shape a better future.
It is only through the extraordinary generosity of our partners, our dedicated volunteers, and supporters like you that we can reach tens of thousands of New Yorkers. I am proud to report that this year our audience encompassed 89% of the city’s residential zip codes—connecting diverse communities to the infrastructure and architecture of their neighborhoods.
As we look ahead to opening even more doors in 2026, I invite you to consider making a year-end contribution to Open House New York. Your fully tax-deductible donation is not just a gift; it is an investment that directly empowers citizens with knowledge about how their city works—and how, together, we can make the city more engaged and more resilient.
To contribute and help us make the next 25 years even more impactful, please consider making a donation to support our work.
Thank you for being part of our community. Cheers to a bright and joyous holiday season!
With gratitude,
Kristin LaBuz
