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Celebrate Central Park and Andrew Haswell Green! This Saturday (November 11)

It’s going to be bright and sunny this weekend in New York City, a perfect time to take part in a glorious Central Park tradition.

 

Please join Manhattan Borough Historian Michael Miscione and other history lovers in Central Park this Saturday (November 11 at noon) as they raise a toast of apple cider to Andrew H. Green (1820-1903), the unsung 19th century master planner, reformer, and preservationist whose accomplishments transformed New York into a world-class city.

 

The ceremony (in its 15th year) will take place at the Andrew H. Green Memorial Bench in northern Central Park. Miscione will preside over the festivities. Complete details below, including a link to a web page that gives a map and directions to the bench.

 

And an extra special activity awaits for the 15th anniversary. According to Miscione:

 

“LET’S FIND THE ORIGINAL GREEN BENCH SITE! 

 

Green’s custom-created stone bench was installed in the park and dedicated in 1929. Five trees – representing the five boroughs of the consolidated city that Green helped create – were planted around the bench. But the original location of the bench is not where it is today. The bench was moved, probably in the 1960s or 1970s. Its exact original location has been something of a mystery. But it will remain a mystery no longer! I have obtained a detailed 1935 digital map of Central Park showing the first location of the bench. I have GPS-enabled the map, and after the ceremony we will go looking for the original bench site.”

 

Andrew H. Green Tribute Ceremony 

At the Andrew H. Green Memorial Bench, inside Central Park at about 105 Street

Saturday, November 11, 2017
12:00 noon
Free. No reservations required. Invite your friends!
Light refreshments will be served at the ceremony.
For a map and directions see bottom of this web page:

https://sites.google.com/site/manhattanboroughhistorian/andrewhgreenceremony
(Copy and paste the web address into your browser bar if the links do not work.)

Pictured above: From the Green Memorial Bench dedication ceremony in 1929 — at its original location! Speakers at the event included (l. to r.) Capt. N. Taylor Phillips (Andrew H. Green Memorial Association), Willis Holly (Park Board), Col. Henry W. Sackett (Andrew H. Green Memorial Association), Dr. Nathan Williams Green (A.H.G.’s nephew), and Dr. George F. Kunz (American Scenic & Historic Preservation Society).

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