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**DID YOU KNOW?**

An Overview of Sites within the National Parks of New York Harbor

***[African Burial Ground National Monument]{.underline}***

The African Burial Ground was a 17th and 18th century cemetery, which
was unearthed in 1991during the construction of the Ted Weiss federal
building, located in lower Manhattan at 290 Broadway. The re-discovery
of the African Burial Ground deeply impacted the descendant and broader
community and at the same time renewed awareness in cultural
significance and historical preservation. In 1993 the site was
designated as a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the
Interior.

The mission of the African Burial Ground National Monument is "to
promote understanding of related resources, encourage continuing
research, and present interpretive opportunities and programs for
visitors to better understand and honor the culture and vital
contributions of generations of African and Americans of African descent
to our Nation..."

**Historic Significance**

-   The African Burial Ground has been called one of the most important
    archaeological, historical, cultural and spiritual finds of our
    time.

-   It is estimated that approximately 15,000 free and enslaved Africans
    were interred in seven acre burial ground over an approximately 100
    year period.

-   In 1635, 6 enslaved Africans successfully engaged in a labor action
    in the colonies by successfully petitioning the Netherlands for
    un-paid back wages.

-   In 1644 11 of the original enslaved Africans were granted land and
    conditional freedom in the area north of the African Burial Ground
    Monument.

-   419 ancestral remains were removed in 1991 and taken to Howard
    University for scientific study and then re-interred at the African
    Burial Ground on October 4, 2003.

-   The African Burial Ground National Monument's temporary visitor
    center is open to the public.

-   5 pieces of artwork were commissioned by GSA to honor the African
    Burial Ground.

-   A permanent memorial honoring those who were buried within the
    boundaries of the nearly 7 acre historic cemetery is currently under
    construction.

-   The African Burial Ground National Monument became the 390th unit in
    the National Park Service System.

-   A permanent visitor center will open sometime in 2008 and will
    include exhibits which will help visitors understand slavery in New
    York City and the lives of enslaved and free Africans and their
    culture.

-   You will not see headstones at the African Burial Ground National
    Monument.

-   We do not know the names of the 419 ancestral remains removed and
    ultimately re-interred at the African Burial Ground.

**What to See and Do**

**Exhibits:** The interim Visitor Center is open to the public Monday
through Friday from 9am to 5pm. This center exhibits historical and
contemporary images related to the African Burial Ground such as the
1711 auction block on Wall Street and the ceremony for the ancestral
remains. Also displayed are replicas of some of the artifacts that were
found in the burials, such as shroud pins, buttons and beads.

**Tours:** Site tours of the commemorative artwork & memorial site are
offered to the public free of charge. Tours start at 10:00 am and 2:00
pm Monday through Friday. Starting in June there will be walking tours
of Lower Manhattan's African and African American sites.

**Upcoming Events:** The National Park Service will host two Open Houses
on the current design stage Visitor Center permanent exhibits. These
meetings will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 from 5-7:30pm at the
Ted Weiss Federal Building, 290 Broadway, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10007
and Thursday, April 26, 2007 from 12noon- 2:30pm at the African Burial
Ground National Monument Visitor Center, Ted Weiss Federal Building, 290
Broadway, 1st floor. In addition, the African Burial Ground Memorial is
scheduled to open fall 2007.

**Tickets**: A presentation request form must be submitted for on-site
or off-site presentations. Otherwise, the center is open Monday- Friday
9:00am to 5:00pm.

**(212) 637-2039**

**www.nps.gov/afbg**

***[Gateway National Recreation Area (GATE)]{.underline}***

When Gateway National Recreation Area was added to the National Park
System in 1972, it was heralded as a breakthrough in recreation
planning. Located in the heart of urban America, Gateway NRA brought
National Park Service programs closer to the people than ever before. It
was truly a "gateway" to the National Park experience. Today, Gateway
NRA encompasses more than 26,000 acres in New York and New Jersey and
attracts almost 10 million visitors a year.

Recreational and educational programs are available at Gateway
throughout the year. Activities include ocean swimming, nature walks,
sailing, bicycling, bird watching, camping, astronomy and fishing. The
park also hosts a wide range of concerts, sporting tournaments and other
special events. Lectures on the history and natural resources are
presented throughout the year.

**(718) 354-4606**

[**www.nps.gov/gate**](http://www.nps.gov/gate)

***[GATE: Jamaica Bay Unit]{.underline}***

**Location:** Situated in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens

**Points of Interest**

-   *Floyd Bennett Field*, New York's first municipal airport, opened
    in 1931. Converted to a Naval Air Station, 1941---972. Served as the
    busiest airport in the United States during WWII. Ryan Visitor
    Center at Floyd Bennett Field (former airport control tower
    building)

-   *Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge*, located off Cross Bay Boulevard in
    Broad Channel, Queens, Jamaica Bay encompasses 9,155 acres. Includes
    a new visitor contact station, trails, marsh, ponds and a variety of
    birds, plants and local wildlife. The largest bird sanctuary in the
    northeastern United States with over 325 species of birds sighted in
    the past 25 years. Accessible by the A Train to the Rockaways.

-   *Canarsie Pier*, first constructed to test the commercial viability
    of the Bay serving as a commercial port, is now a great place to
    picnic, enjoy a children's playground or experience some of the best
    fishing on Jamaica Bay.

-   *Fort Tilden*, a former U.S. Army base that was an important coastal
    defense from WWII---the Vietnam Conflict, now a center for the arts
    on the Rockaway peninsula.

-   *Jacob Riis Park*, ocean beach with boardwalk, and the famous Art
    Deco bathhouse.

**What to See and Do**

-   Nature lovers can enjoy the variety of habitats at Floyd Bennett
    Field's North 40 Trail, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Plumb Beach and
    Dead Horse Bay and picnicking by permit at Floyd Bennett Field

-   Fishing is permitted at Canarsie Pier, Plumb Beach, Floyd Bennett
    Field and Dead Horse Bay

-   Interpretive tours of Floyd Bennett Field, Jamaica Bay Wildlife
    Refuge and Dead Horse Bay conducted by park rangers and volunteers.

-   Concession operated facilities include Aviator Sports, a
    state-of-the-art indoor sports facility at Floyd Bennett Field; a
    golf driving range, tennis courts, baseball batting cages,
    mini-golf, a full service marina and a riding academy.

-   Sports enthusiasts can use the baseball, softball, and soccer
    fields; or use the courts for basketball and tennis. Ranger-led
    bicycle tours and nature walks are given seasonally. Swimming and
    fishing are popular activities

-   Walking tours and lectures about the natural and historical
    resources at Fort Tilden are given throughout the year.

-   Facilities include the concession operated Riis Park Pitch and Putt
    Golf Course and food concessions. These operate seasonally.

**(718) 338-3338**

**www.nps.gov/gate/jbu**

***[GATE: Sandy Hook Unit]{.underline}***

**Location:** Situated along the northern end of the New Jersey Atlantic
shoreline

**Points of Interest**

-   *Fort Hancock*, provided coastal defense for New York harbor from
    1895 until 1974; over 100 buildings and fortifications remain

-   *Sandy Hook Lighthouse*, America's oldest operating lighthouse (not
    open to the public)

-   *Spermaceti Cove Visitor Center*, former U.S. Lifesaving Service
    Station, houses exhibits and a bookstore

-   *Sandy Hook Museum and History House*, a restored 1898 lieutenant's
    residence along "Officers Row", features exhibits and historic
    displays

-   *Battery Potter*, the oldest gun battery built on Sandy Hook

-   *Holly Forest* extends 64 acres along the east coast

**What to See and Do**

-   Tourists can learn about the history of Sandy Hook through ranger
    led tours of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, Proving Grounds, Fort
    Hancock, Spermaceti Cove Visitor Center, Sandy Hook Museum, History
    House and Battery Potter. A new self-guided experience in the
    Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters: exhibits on the history of New Jersey
    lighthouses.

-   Nature and outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy walking, fishing or
    strolling along six miles of ocean beaches. The waters of Sandy Hook
    Bay offer opportunities for boating and windsurfing

-   Kite flying programs, fishing clinics, beach walks, puppet shows and
    holly forest rambles available for children

-   Bird enthusiasts can view over 300 species of birds in the dunes,
    beaches and salt marshes

-   Annual events include the Sandy Hook Beach Concert Series, Fort
    Hancock Day, and the All-Women Lifeguard Tournament

**(718) 354-4500**

**www.nps.gov/gate/shu**

***[GATE: Staten Island Unit]{.underline}***

**Location:** Situated along the Raritan Bay on the south shore of
Staten Island

**Points of Interest**

-   *Miller Field* was once the site of a farm owned by the Vanderbilt
    family who later sold the property to the U.S. government in 1919
    for use as an Army Air Corps base. The field was named for Captain
    Ely Miller who was the first American aviator killed in combat in
    France during World War I. In 1929 Admiral Richard Bird used Miller
    Field to test his new plane and make final preparations before his
    historic flight over the South Pole.

-   *Great Kills Park* contains ocean beaches, nature trails, model
    airplane field, boat launch and fishing areas

-   *Fort Wadsworth*, is a former military post dating back to the 17th
    century

-   *Hoffman and Swinburne Islands*, former immigrant quarantine
    stations, not open to the public

**What to See and Do**

-   The Staten Island Unit hosts thousands of visitors for various field
    sports such as baseball, softball, football, soccer and cricket.
    Ranger led nature walks and hikes at Miller Field and Great Kills
    Park are popular.

-   Nature lovers can enjoy the numerous trails through a variety of
    habitats including woodlands, open beaches and the swamp white oak
    forest

-   There are picnic and limited swimming areas, model airplane field
    and food concession service, a marina, jogging and bicycling paths

**(732) 872-590**

**www.nps.gov/gate/shu**

***[Governors Island National Monument]{.underline}***

**Construction:** Castle Williams was designed and erected under Colonel
Jonathan Williams, Chief Engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
and the first Superintendent of West Point.

**Historic Significance**

-   Castle Williams and Fort Jay formed a part of New York's inner
    harbor defensive system that included Castle Clinton, Fort Gibson
    (Ellis Island) and Fort Wood (Liberty Island)

-   A casemated battery, Castle Williams is the best prototype of its
    kind and is one of only three such castles still standing (Castle
    Clinton, Fort Hinkey, SC)

-   Considered by some the Alcatraz of the East Coast, Castle Williams
    served as a prison for Confederate soldiers from 1862 -- 1866.

-   After the Civil War, it became a low-security military prison and
    then in 1903 it was re-fitted as a model, state-of-the-art U.S. Army
    prison and disciplinary barracks

-   The U.S. Army ceased operations there in 1966 and turned the island
    over to the Coast Guard, which closed its facilities on the island
    in 1997.

-   In 2003, the federal government returned Governors Island to New
    York State and City. GIPEC now owns 150 acres of the island and the
    other 22 acres are administered by NPS.

-   The City's (GIPEC) first project includes creating a 72 to 87 acre
    mega-park along the southwestern end of the island, giving the
    public the most direct view by land of the Statue of Liberty and New
    York Harbor.

**What to See and Do**

**Tours:** The island is open Saturdays and Sundays from June 2 through
September 7 for self-guided tours, and Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
from June 6 through August 30 there are Ranger-led tours at 10:00 am and
1:00 pm. Visitors depart from the Battery Maritime Building, Slip 7.

**Events:** Summer events include an Opening Day Family Festival on June
2 that includes arts, crafts, music and theatre, and Army Heritage Days
on June 23 and 24 that includes reenactments and tours highlighting the
military history of the island.

**National Park Service Manhattan Sites**

***[Castle Clinton National Monument]{.underline}***

**Construction:** 1808 -- 1811. Originally stood 200 feet offshore
before Battery Park was filled in. Designed by Lt. Col. Jonathan
Williams, later Commandant of the U. S. Military Academy at West Point.

**Historic Significance**

-   With war looming in the 1790s, Congress authorized an ambitious
    harbor defense construction program to protect the Atlantic
    seaports.

-   Castle Clinton, named for New York Governor DeWitt Clinton, was
    designed to complement Castle Williams, located on Governor's
    Island, in defense of Manhattan.

-   Fort never tested in battle and, in 1824, was turned over the New
    York City for use as an entertainment and recreation site. In the
    19^th^ century, such places were called "gardens" (we still know of
    Madison Square Garden) and the Castle became known as "Castle
    Garden."

-   Important events included the triumphal return of the Marquis de
    Lafayette to American in 1824 and the debut of opera diva Jenny Lind
    in 1850.

-   Castle Garden became the first official immigrant reception station
    in New York in 1855, with almost 8 million new Americans passing
    through until 1890 when it closed and was replaced by Ellis Island.

-   In 1896 re-opened as the New York Aquarium, which closed in 1941.

-   In 1946 Castle Clinton National Monument was authorized. Earlier
    modifications were removed and the appearance of the site was
    returned to that of the original fort.

**What to See and Do**

**Exhibits:** A museum gallery offers dioramas representing each period
in the evolution of the Castle and Lower Manhattan from 1811 to 1940.

**Tours:** Tours of the Castle are offered by NPS rangers. Costumed
interpretive programs depict the soldiers stationed there during the War
of 1812.

**Upcoming Events:** Free concerts are offered every Thursday evening
during the summer.

**Tickets:** Ferry tickets for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

**(212) 344-7220**

[**www.nps.gov/cacl**](http://www.nps.gov/cacl)

***[Federal Hall National Memorial]{.underline}***

**Construction:** 1835 -- 1842. Designed in the Classical Revival style
by leading New York architects Ithiel Town and Alexander Jackson Davis.
Construction supervised by sculptor John Frazee.

**Historic Significance**

-   The birthplace of American government under our constitution,
    serving as the first capitol of the United States from 1789 to 1790

-   In 1789 the First United States Congress met and George Washington
    was inaugurated as First President; saw passage of the "Bill of
    Rights"

-   Original building, demolished in 1812, previously served as the New
    York City Hall from 1703.

-   Site of the trial of printer John Peter Zenger, whose acquittal on
    the charge of libel in 1735 was a precedent for the "Freedom of the
    Press."

-   The Stamp Act Congress met here in 1765 to protest "taxation without
    representation."

-   A part of the Wall Street Historic District, from 1842 to the 1920s
    Federal Hall served as a U.S. Customs House and then a U.S.
    Sub-treasury. As world trade grew and America expanded Westward,
    loans from Federal Hall financed railroads and shipping companies.

-   The building was designated a national historic site in 1939 and NPS
    was given management authority in 1955.

**What to See and Do**

**Exhibits:**

-   A visitor information center created with the participation of
    NYC&Co provides information about cultural attractions, as well as
    an introduction to National Parks in the New York area and around
    the nation.

-   George Washington's bible; NARA exhibit

**Tours:** Tours of Federal Hall are offered by NPS rangers. Costumed
and other interpretive programs depict the era of the American
Revolution.

**Events:** The inauguration of George Washington on April 30^th^ is
re-enacted annually.

**(212)825-6888**

**www.nps.gov/feha**

***[General Grant National Memorial]{.underline}***

**Construction:** 1892 -- 1897. Financed entirely by private donations
the memorial, known as "Grant's Tomb," was built by the Grant Monument
Association. It was designed by New York architect John Duncan in a
mixture of classical styles. The design of the crypt is based on that of
the Emperor Napoleon.

**Historic Significance**

-   President Ulysses S. Grant (1822 -- 1885), a native of Ohio who died
    in upstate New York, is "buried" in Grant's Tomb, alongside his
    wife, Julia Dent Grant, who was entombed following her death in 1902

-   the largest mausoleum in North America, containing over 6,000 tons
    of granite and reaching a height of 150 feet

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-   As the commander of the Union Army, Grant was credited with winning
    the war against slavery and disunion.

-   Grant supported the Constitutional amendments which guaranteed equal
    civil rights to formerly enslaved men, and authorized the
    establishment of the first National Park, Yellowstone, in 1872.

-   Authorized as a national memorial in 1958.

**What to See and Do**

**Exhibits:** The highlight of every visitor's experience is the view of
the sarcophagus containing the remains of Ulysses S. Grant. Displays
within the memorial depict the stages of Grant's military and political
careers, as well as his personal life.

**Tours:** Tours of the memorial are offered by NPS rangers. Costumed
programs depict the soldier's life during the Mexican War and Civil War.

**Events:** Grant's birthday is April 27^th^ and West Point will bring
an honor guard and a firing party and rangers are putting on a civil war
encampment with musket and artillery demos. Ceremony is at 11:00 am and
encampment from 10:00 -1:00.

**(212)666-1640**

**www.nps.gov/gegr**

***[Hamilton Grange National Memorial]{.underline}***

**Construction:** 1800 -- 1802. Originally stood about a block and a
half northwest of its present location. Designed by John McComb, Jr.,
also known as the architect of New York City Hall.

**Historic Significance**

-   The only home owned by Alexander Hamilton (1757 -- 1804), as well as
    the only museum devoted this "Founding Father"

-   Joined President Washington's cabinet as the first U. S. Secretary
    of the Treasury in 1789. In this role, Hamilton created the national
    credit (and national debt), established the monetary system, and
    exerted great influence on Washington's foreign policy.

-   After leaving public office, Hamilton continued to support the
    policies of the Federalist Party in opposition to both Thomas
    Jefferson and Aaron Burr. His rivalry with Burr finally led to the
    fatal duel in 1804, which Hamilton undertook in order to maintain
    his political reputation.

-   Named "The Grange" after his father's family home in Scotland, the
    house became a symbol of the affluence and dignity which Hamilton
    sought throughout his life. It is a very early example of domestic
    Federal style architecture, featuring an octagonal parlor and dining
    room and an unusual mirrored interior

**What to See and Do**

Currently closed for renovation; house will be moved from its present
location to St. Nicholas park next year.

**(212)637-2039**

**www.nsp.gov/hagr**

***[Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site]{.underline}***

**Construction:** 1765 -- 1788. Built near the site of earlier churches
dating from the 1660s, Saint Paul's is one of New York's oldest
parishes. This historic site is operated under a cooperative agreement
with the Society of the National Shrine of the Bill of Rights at Saint
Paul\'s Church, Eastchester.

**Historic Significance**

-   Served as a field hospital following a Revolutionary War battle;
    British, Hessian, and American soldiers are buried in the
    churchyard.

-   The Cemetery contains burials dating from 1665 as well soldiers from
    every war in America up through WWII.

-   Designated in 1943 as a National Historic Site; NPS site in 1978.

-   St. Paul\'s Church Bell:

Almost 250 years ago, in 1758, the Church of England minister at St.
Paul\'s decided to leave a gift to his parish as he prepared to retire.
Reverend Standard, a wealthy man, ordered a bell for the church from
London\'s Whitechapel Foundry (which also cast the \"Liberty Bell.\")
When the bell was delivered, it was hung in the small wooden church at
St. Paul\'s and rung not only for services, but also for the King\'s
Birthday every June 4.

When the American Revolution reached New York in 1776, General George
Washington ordered the removal of bells from New York City\'s churches
to be melted down and cast into cannon. However, the parishioners at St.
Paul\'s hid their bell in order to save it. During the war, Hessian
troops tore down the wooden church for firewood. When the war ended in
1783 the bell was returned and hung in the present stone church.
Thereafter it was rung for services, and for the celebration of American
Independence on July 4.

As we look forward to the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the
bell at St. Paul\'s Church next year, we can appreciate the historic
connections it has to our colonial celebration of the King\'s Birthday,
the destruction of the Revolutionary War, and the celebration of the
independence of the new nation.

**What to See and Do**

**Exhibits:** The museum gallery offers exhibits on the historic site,
as well as important figures related to the site, such as John Glover,
who served General Washington in the American Revolution.

**Tours:** Tours of the museum, the church, and the cemetery are offered
by site staff and volunteers.

**Events:** The Battle of Pell's Point is commemorated each October with
military and civilian re-enactors, as well as period craft
demonstrations.

**(914)667-4116**

**www.nps.gov/sapa**

***[Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site]{.underline}***

**Construction:** 1920 -- 1923. This reconstruction of the original
birthplace of Theodore Roosevelt on the same site was developed by The
Women's Roosevelt Association and the Theodore Roosevelt Association.
Designed by architect Theodate Pope Riddle.

**Historic Significance**

-   Theodore Roosevelt's (1858 -- 1919) wide-ranging interests and
    achievements are commemorated here in period rooms and museum
    galleries

-   As the first reconstruction of a mid-19^th^ century home in the
    United States (original home demolished in 1916), house combines
    exhibit galleries and period rooms.

-   Roosevelt lived here until the age of 14

-   Roosevelt formed the "Rough Riders" (actual U.S. Volunteer uniform
    he wore is in the museum) and served heroically in Cuba, earning the
    Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for this service.

-   Elected in 1900 as Vice President of the United States, Roosevelt
    became President on the death of William McKinley in 1901.

-   Re-elected in 1904, Roosevelt was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for
    mediating an agreement ending the Russo-Japanese war.

-   Offered by the Theodore Roosevelt Association to the federal
    government, the "birthplace" has been administered by the NPS since
    1962.

**What to See and Do**

**Exhibits:**

-   Five fully furnished period rooms offer insight into the life of a
    wealthy New York family in the 1860s. Approximately one half of the
    objects are from the original home, the remainder are of the period.
    Decoration was supervised by Roosevelt's widow and two sisters who
    remembered the house from their childhood.

-   Two galleries offer extensive collections illustrating his military
    and political careers, family life, hunting and exploring trips,
    taxidermy specimens, library, etc

**Tours:** Tours of the house are conducted hourly by NPS rangers.

**Events:** A program of lectures by authors with recently published
materials on Theodore Roosevelt is offered monthly in autumn, winter,
and spring.

**(212) 260-1616**

**www.nps.gov/thrb**

***[Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island]{.underline}***

**Statue of Liberty**

-   Set atop its pedestal in 1886, it was then the tallest structure in
    New York City

-   Height from ground to torch is 305ft; height of statue is 151ft;
    thickness of copper skin is only 3/32 of an inch, or about 2 pennies

-   The base of the Statue is Fort Wood, part of New York harbor's inner
    defenses

-   The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886 and was
    designated a National Monument on October 15, 1924.

-   The Statue was extensively restored in time for her spectacular
    centennial on July 4, 1986

-   About 3.4 million visits in 2006; 4.2 million in 2005; and 5.3
    million in 2001

**Ellis Island**

-   The Ellis Island Immigration station opened in 1892 but the original
    structure burned in 1897; the present main building opened on
    January 1, 1900

-   After processing more than twelve million immigrants, the facility,
    including the 750-bed hospital complex, was closed in 1954.

-   1901 -- 1910 saw 8.8 million immigrants through Ellis; WWI curbs
    immigration and by the 1920s U.S. consulates take over immigration
    inspections

-   About 40 percent of Americans can trace lineage through Ellis Island

-   The largest single day of immigration occurred on April 17, 1907,
    when 11,741 immigrants were processed

-   From the 1920s until it closed in 1954, Ellis served as deportation
    center, Public Health Service Hospital and Coast Guard station

-   The hospital buildings located on the New Jersey portion of Ellis
    Island, also known as the south side of Ellis Island, have been
    vacant, deteriorating and closed to the public since that time;
    there about 30 buildings awaiting restoration

-   About 40 percent of Americans can trace lineage through Ellis Island

-   The largest single day of immigration occurred on April 17, 1907,
    when 11,741 immigrants were processed

-   Based on a Supreme Court decision in the late 1990s, the Main
    Building is in New York State's jurisdiction while the majority of
    the island is in New Jersey