(Taken from: http://www.lesonline.org/cv/seward-statue.jpg)

The first photo is taken by me, didn’t realize how dark it was so I added a better photo of the monument in daylight. Link to website below photo.

The above photos are of William Henry Seward taken from Madison Square Park in New York City. The statue is located on Fifth Avenue at 23rd Street and placed on a diagonal facing the intersection of Broadway and 23rd at the southwest corner of Madison Square Park.

The sculpture portrait of the former Governor, U. S Senator, and Secretary of the State on a pedestal. The statue is made of bronze, red levante marble. The sculpture was dedicated in 1876 and William H. Seward is said to be the first New Yorker to be honored with a monument in the city. Seward was admitted to the bar at Utica in 1822 and specialized in patent law and was in great demand as an attorney in criminal cases. In 1845, he argued in defense of freedom of the press in a libel suit against a newspaper publisher.

In addition to the statue of William H. Seward, Madison Square Park has several historical figures. Below is a photo of Admiral David Glasgow Farragut.

Admiral Farragut Monument is located at the north end of Madison Square Park, 24th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues. This monument was sculpted by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and architect, Stanford White. The figure is over 9 feet tall and is made of bronze and coopersberg black granite. The admiral is standing on a pedestal in full uniform with binoculars in hand and sword at his side as if he is engaging in commanding a fleet. The architect, White designed the semi-circular exedra on which the monument stands; an extended place to sit underneath the statue. Overtime the monument has been revered for its dynamic naturalism and is one of the finest outdoor monuments in New York City.

Admiral David Glasgow Farragut began his military career at the age of 9. he served during the war of 1812 and later fought in the Mexican War. He gained fame by wrestling New Orleans from confederate control and this is where his uttered his famous immortal words… “Damn the torpedoes… full speed… ahead!”

I didn’t know much about either Admiral David G. Farragut or William H. Seward, until I looked up famous monuments in New York City. But I did find a very interesting video on Admiral Farragut and the End of the Civil War: Gettysburg Winter Lecture (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4ZMxzq8T58). The video contains a lot of information about the admiral and the story behind his famous quote.

In addition, “The Farragut Monument was conserved in 2002, as a project of the Municipal Art Society’s Adopt-A-Monument Program, in partnership with the Department of Parks & Recreation and the Art Commission of the City of New York. A generous grant from the Paul and Klara Porzelt Foundation made the restoration possible. The monument’s conservation coincided with the restoration of Madison Square and today this outstanding example of nineteenth-century American commemorative sculpture remains a commanding presence in this historic park.”

In addition to the two historic figures, Madison Square Park also holds the famous monument of, Roscoe Conkling, who was a politician from New York who served both as a member of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. Roscoe Conkling is located on Madison Avenue at 23rd Street and made of bronze, quincy granite. What’s so famous about this monument is that it was sculpted by John Quincy Adams Ward, who is most famous for his overly life-sized statue of George Washington on the steps of Federal Hall in Wall Street. Below is a link of the sculptors Wikipedia page so you can view more of his art. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Quincy_Adams_Ward

Simón Bolívar (1783-1830), born in Venezuela and one of South America’s greatest generals, was called El Liberator because of his victories over Spaniards winning independence from Bolivia (named after him). Dedicated in 1921, this statue depicts the general who has been referred to as the “George Washington of South America”.

The above photos of the monument are rightfully placed by the Artist’s Gate entrance by Central Park at 59th Street and Avenue of Americas. But this monument was not always located at this entrance way. The statue was originally sited on the rock between 82nd and 83rd Street overlooking Central Park West, where the Bolívar Hotel is located. But critics of the statue believed it did not live up to the original artistic vision and so it was subsequently moved. After Sixth Avenue was renamed Avenue of the Americas in 1945, the statue was relocated in the 1950’s to be paired with that of José de San Martín at the head of the avenue. The equestrian statue is made of bronze with the pedestal out of black granite.

I first spotted this statue in a cab on the way to Strawberry Fields, I’ve heard of Simón Bolívar but never knew there was a statue of him in New York City. It’s very respectable of the city to dedicate a monument to such a historic general. I really enjoyed the research I put into this assignment and it was a plus getting to roam around the city.

The USS Maine National Monument is located by the Merchant’s Gate to Central Park (southwest corner) at Columbus Circle.  The Maine Monument is one of the largest monuments in Manhattan. It was build from 1901 to 1913 to honor the 261 crew members on the USS Maine battleship who died when their ship exploded in 1898 in the Havana harbor. Construction of the Maine Monument started in 1901 and the monument was finally dedicated twelve years later. The names of those who died are chiseled in the pylon.

In the first photo above you can see the female figure who is Columbia Triumphant (bronze figure) it is said that the statue was cast from metal recovered from the Maine’s guns. The Monument consists of many figures symbolizing the triumph of the country’s navel power. Such as the Columbia Triumphant, riding a sea chariot pulled by three sea horses. At the base of the ship’s prow protrudes from the pylon is a young boy raising his arms. In his hands he held wreaths symbolizing victory and peace (but they were stolen).

Allegorical statues are shown resting against the left and right side of the monument. In the second photo is the back of the monument where a female figure with closed eyes representing justice. Behind her stands the figure of peace with on her right a man and on her left a woman with her child, respectively representing courage and fortitude.

I underlined all the specific nouns describing the USS Maine National Monument. It wasn’t until I casually went to Columbus Circle that I realized there was a huge Monument at the entrance of the park. After receiving the assignment I remembered about I took photos in front of it in the summer of 2015 without knowing the history being the statue. I never realized that the Monument was so large, that each side symbolized various strengths. Here is a link of the early construction of the Maine Monument: http://www.boweryboyshistory.com/2013/05/central-parks-maine-monument-dedicated.html

My buddy, Phil and I have been wanting to visit Strawberry Fields for years and this assignment was a perfect excuse to roam around New York City and explore Central Park. I’ve attached three photos, one at the “Strawberry Fields” sign which is placed at the entrance of the park, a horribly dark photo with the “Imagine” mosaic covered with flowers and candles celebrating 35 years after the death of John Lennon.  And third photo is of art by local street artists located in the field selling prints of original Beatles and John Lennon photos.

This tranquil spot was named after one of The Beatles well known songs “Strawberry Fields Forever” and is placed in a section dedicated to a member of the Beatles, John Lennon. It is a living memorial to world famous singer, songwriter, and peace activist, John Lennon. Who was one of the four members of The Beatles. Also, the “Imagine” mosaic is named after a song he had written, also very popular. “The teardrop shaped region was re-landscaped by the Central Park Conservancy with the help of landscape architect Bruce Kelley and a generous $1 million donation from Yoko Ono.”

Sadly, John Lennon was shot and killed in 1980.  His body was cremated at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York. His wife, Yoko Ono scattered his ashes in Strawberry Fields. The Beatles, old English rock band from the 1960’s, are still known to be one of the most popular and legendary musical acts in the world.

One of the greatest perks of living in New York City is the ability to take a train and visit historic places with amazing history. Upon entering the park a sense of peace and calmness took over me and was surrounded by people quietly listening to a man on the guitar strumming a Beatles tune. I’ll definitely be visiting the flowered park more often. The park is so beautiful that is it too difficult to put into words. I suggest everyone to visit this extraordinary and iconic park.

Below please find youtube links for the two Beatles songs:

I work close-by Queens County – NYC Civil Court and every morning on my way to work I pass Rufus King Park. If it wasn’t for Professor Donsky’s “How decedents are honored…” assignment I would not have thought of looking up who this park was named after. Since then I’ve taken a great interest in researching landmarks and monuments I pass by daily. Also, the steel picket fence surrounding the property entrance displays the words from the Preamble of the Constitution

The photos were taken in front of the Rufus King Park, inside the park you will find the Rufus King Manor Museum & Park located Jamaica Ave and 153rd Street, Jamaica, NY 11432. The entire park is just over 11 acres wide. Here is a link to more photos of the premises: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/rufus-king-park-queens.

Rufus King (1755-1827) was a lawyer, statesman and farmer and the park was once his home. He was “the son of a wealthy lumber merchant from Maine, he graduated from Harvard in 1777. King suspended his law studies to serve in the Revolutionary War in 1778. Two years later, King was admitted to the bar in Massachusetts. He served as a member of the Confederation Congress from 1784 to 1787, where he introduced a plan that prevented the spread of slavery into the Northwest Territories. King was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and made his most famous contribution to American history as a framer and signer of the Constitution.” “Descendants of King’s family lived in the house until 1896 when Rufus’ granddaughter Cornelia King died and sold the house to the Village of Jamaica. When Jamaica, along with the western half of Queens County was annexed by New York City in 1898, the house and the property were turned over to the New York City Parks Department which re-designated the land as “Rufus King Park.”

The house and ground were bought by the Village of Jamaica to be used as a park, and later a city park. King Manor has operated as a museum since 1900. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the house and park are designated New York City landmarks. The manor contains a library which includes three build-in floor to ceiling bookcases. The shelves hold books and senate records. King Manor Museum is open on a regular basis for tours, educational programs, and community events.

Been meaning to look up who Rufus King was for awhile since I walk past the park every morning and glad I finally did, mainly because of this assignment. The 11.5 acre land was given to the town of Jamaica for $50,000. It’s amazing how much history we walk past everyday unknowingly. Based on my research, he seemed like a noble man, fought in the revolutionary war, delegate on the constitutional convention, introduced a plan to help prevent the spread of slavery, and signed the constitution.

As per New York City government parks website, the parks Commissioner just announced on a $2.2M in improvements to Rufus King Park. See website link: http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rufus-king-park/dailyplant/23374