Page 87 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - New York City

L OWER M ANHA T T AN AND THE CIVIC CENTER  85

in September 1776 during the dates back to 1766. One of is rich with filigree, sculptured
Revolutionary War. His last words the main attractions here is reliefs, and painted decoration,
– “My only regret is that I have Unwavering Spirit, a moving and has a high glass-tile mosaic
not more lives than one to offer exhibition on the September 11 ceiling that almost seems to
in the service of my country” – attacks. For eight months after glow. The lobby is one of the
won him a permanent place the episode, the chapel acted as city’s treasures. Gilbert showed
in the history books and hearts a sanctuary for rescue workers his sense of humor here, in bas-
of America. at Ground Zero. The pew where relief carica tures of the founder
George Washington prayed counting out his fortune in
between 1789–90 is also part of nickels and dimes; of the real-
z City Hall Park the exhibition. Akin to a shrine, it estate broker closing a deal; and
and Park Row has been preserved since the of Gilbert cradling a large model
time New York was the capital of the build ing. Paid for with
Map 1 C2. q Brooklyn Br-City Hall of the US, and even served as a $13.5 million in cash, the build-
Park Pl. foot-treatment chair for ing has never been mortgaged.
firefighters during the attacks. Woolworth’s went out of
Once a communal pasture in business in 1997. After several
the 17th century, City Hall Park years of the building being
has been the seat of New York’s c Woolworth closed to the public, guided
government since 1812. An Building tours resumed in 2014.
almshouse for the poor stood
on the site between 1736–97, 233 Broadway. Map 1 C2. Tel (203)
and it was later home to 966-9663. q City Hall Park Pl. Open v African Burial
protests against British rule. daily for tours (book in advance).
∑ woolworthtours.com
During the Revolutionary War Ground
(1775–83), the British used the Duane St. Map 1 C1. Tel (212) 637-2019.
nearby debtors’ prison to In 1879, salesclerk Frank W. q Chambers St, City Hall. Open 9am–
capture and hang 250 prisoners. Woolworth opened a new 5pm Tue–Sat. ∑ nps.gov/afbg African
Today, a memorial in honor kind of store, where shoppers Burial Ground Visitor Center: 290
of the "Liberty Poles" (symbols could see and touch the goods, Broadway. Open 10am–4pm Tue–Sat.
of revolt) stands in City Hall’s and everything cost five cents.
west lawn. The chain of stores that fol- This elegant, black granite
The Park Row Building was lowed made him a fortune monument occupies a portion
completed in 1899. At 391 ft and changed retailing forever. of a cemetery that previously lay
(119 m), it became one of The 1913 Gothic headquarters outside the city. Once the only
the tallest office buildings in of his empire was New York’s place African slaves could be
the world. Originally, behind tallest building until 1929. It set buried, the site was accidentally
the limestone-and-brick facade the standard for the great sky- discovered in 1991, with the
sat the offices of the Associated scrapers. Architect Cass Gilbert’s exhumation of 419 skeletons.
Press. Park Row runs along the soaring two-tiered design, After being examined, the remains
east side of City Hall Park. Once adorned with gargoyles of bats were reinterred here in 2003.
called “Newspaper Row,” it was and other wildlife, is topped The Visitor Center, located
lined with the lofty offices with a pyramid roof, flying around the corner, offers an
of the Sun, World, Tribune, buttresses, pinnacles, and four interactive exhibition that traces
and other papers. Printing small towers. The marble interior the history of slavery in New York.
House Square has a statue of
Benjamin Franklin with his
Pennsylvania Gazette.

x St. Paul’s Chapel
209–211 Broadway. Map 1 C2.
Tel (212) 602-0800. q Fulton St.
Open 10am–6pm Mon–Sat,
7am–6pm Sun. Closed most public
hols. 5 12:30pm Wed; 8am, 10am
Sun. 8 by appt. Concerts 1pm Mon.
Miraculously untouched when
the World Trade Center towers
collapsed in 2001, St. Paul’s is
Manhattan’s only extant church
built before the Revolutionary
War. It is a Georgian gem that The Georgian interior of St. Paul’s Chapel

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