Preserving New York City's Monuments
Monuments across New York City are finally getting a full facelift. Recent efforts ensure these monuments retain their historical significance for many years to come.
The monument to Henry Hudson in The Bronx at the site where he and his crew first dropped anchor on September 2, 1609 in what today is New York Harbor is a good example. It is located at Spuyten Duyvil and was designed by sculptor Karl Gruppe and erected in 1937. The 17-foot bronze statue depicts Hudson in seafaring garb and is accompanied by two bronze reliefs, one showing him accepting his commission from the Dutch East India company, and the other showing Manhattan’s first fur trading post. Erected nearly 70 years ago, the monument suffered years of erosion and needed to be repaired. Thanks to the Citywide Monuments Conservation Program, a project of the New York City Parks Department and funding by charitable organizations such as the Trust for Architectural Easements, the monument is getting the attention and care necessary to restore it.
"We have an obligation to preserve our historic monuments, which honor the heights of human achievement and the depths of human sacrifice," says Jonathan Kuhn, Director of Art & Antiquities for the New York City Parks Department.
A consistent contributor to the New York City Parks Department to fund the Citywide Monuments Conservation Program, the Trust for Architectural Easements, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the architectural heritage of our nation, sees its involvement in the restoration effort as critical to meeting its mission of preserving the nation's architectural heritage.
The Trust holds hundreds of historic preservation easements in New York, and is pleased to work with the City, community associations, and with area residents to preserve and protect important memorials to America’s past. The Trust has supported other endeavors in New York including helping to fund the restoration of historic parks and cobblestone streets. It also has contributed to the development of several educational programs intended to inspire America’s youth to learn more about our nation’s history and to develop an appreciation for our nation’s architecture.
Preserving New York City's Monuments
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