Fort Tryon Park

Fort Tryon Park is a public park located in Washington Heights, New York City, USA, {{coor dm|40|51.7|N|73|56|W|type:landmark}}. It is situated on a 67 acre (270,000 m²) ridge in northern Manhattan, with a commanding view of the Hudson River, the George Washington Bridge, the Palisades and the Harlem River. It is also site of The Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to Medieval art and culture, and home to the Unicorn Tapistries, The Cloisters incorporates several medieval buildings that were purchased in Europe, brought to the United States, and reassembled, often stone by stone.

Related Topics:
Washington Heights - New York City - USA - Manhattan - Hudson River - George Washington Bridge - The Palisades - Harlem River - The Cloisters - Metropolitan Museum of Art - Medieval art - Unicorn Tapistries

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The park was the site of an American Revolutionary War battle on November 16, 1776 between 600 American soldiers and 4000 invading Hessian troops hired by Great Britain. Margaret Corbin became the first woman to fight in the war and was wounded during the battle. After the British won, the fortification was named after Sir William Tryon, the last British Governor of the New York colony.

Related Topics:
American Revolutionary War - November 16 - 1776 - Hessian - Great Britain - Margaret Corbin - William Tryon

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Later it became the private residence of a succession of wealthy owners, including Dr. Samuel Watkins, founder of Watkins Glen, General Daniel Butterfield, Boss Tweed and C. K. G. Billings. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. purchased the Billings estate in 1917. He hired Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., son of the designer of Central Park, to plan a park that he would give to the city. The park was constructed during the Great Depression, providing many jobs. The project included the 190th Street subway station on the IND Eighth Avenue Line (which is the closest station to the park). The park was completed in 1935. Olmstead included extensive flower plantings, including a Heather Garden that was restored in the 1980s. Besides the gardens and the Cloisters, the park has extensive walking paths and meadows, with views of the Hudson and Harlem Rivers.

Related Topics:
Samuel Watkins - Watkins Glen - Daniel Butterfield - Boss Tweed - C. K. G. Billings - John D. Rockefeller, Jr. - 1917 - Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. - The designer - Central Park - Great Depression - 190th Street - IND Eighth Avenue Line - 1935 - 1980s - Hudson - Harlem River

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The park is built on a formation of Manhattan mica schist and contains interesting examples of igneous intrusions and of glacial striations from the last Ice Age. The lower lying regions to the east and north of the park are built on Inwood marble.

Related Topics:
Mica - Schist - Intrusion - Striation - Ice Age - Marble

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Abandoned by the New York City Parks Department in the 1970s, Fort Tryon became a haven for the homeless, prostitutes, and drug dealers. In 1995, the New York Restoration Project, an organization founded by Bette Midler, took over the park, cleaning it up and returning it to its original glory.

Related Topics:
New York City Parks Department - New York Restoration Project - Bette Midler

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