Washington Square Park & Arch: History and Facts
FAQ
Is it true people are buried under Washington Square Park?
Yes. From 1797 to 1825, the area served as a potter's field, or public burial ground. An estimated 20,000 bodies remain buried beneath the park, including those of the poor, unknown individuals, and yellow fever victims.
When was the Washington Square Arch built?
The Washington Square Arch, designed by architect Stanford White, was constructed from Tuckahoe marble and completed in 1892. It was officially dedicated on May 4, 1895.
Why is Washington Square Park famous for activism?
The park has a long history as a site for protest. Most famously, community activists led by Jane Jacobs successfully fought and defeated a plan by Robert Moses in the 1950s to construct a four-lane highway through the park.
What was the 'Free and Independent Republic of Washington Square'?
In January 1917, a group of artists, including Marcel Duchamp, climbed to the top of the Washington Square Arch and whimsically declared Greenwich Village to be a sovereign state, as a form of bohemian protest and artistic expression.
