First a Burial Ground, then a Parade Ground, then a Park, then a Revelation
Author(s): Joan H. Geismar
Year: 2018
Summary
Washington Square Park in New York City’s historic Greenwich Village is a prime example of a burying ground that is now a beloved urban park. In 2005, renovations to this historical park in a Landmark district required archaeology. That the park was a former Potter’s Field, by definition, the final resting place of the indigent and unknown, was recognized by the New York City Parks Department and local history buffs. The question was, did burials from the cemetery years (1797 to 1825) remain? With New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission oversight, what transpired were archaeological revelations despite limitations imposed by addressing only planned work rather than the park’s overall potential sensitivity. Ultimately, the seven-year renovation confirmed the presence of burials, assured protection of in situ human remains, and raised awareness that burials were an ongoing issue. Also, a startling discovery dramatically altered the concept of this particular Potter’s Field.
Cite this Record
First a Burial Ground, then a Parade Ground, then a Park, then a Revelation. Joan H. Geismar. Presented at Society for Historical Archaeology, New Orleans, Louisiana. 2018 ( tDAR id: 441749)
This Resource is Part of the Following Collections
Keywords
General
Cemetery
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Park
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Revelation
Geographic Keywords
North America
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United States of America
Spatial Coverage
min long: -129.199; min lat: 24.495 ; max long: -66.973; max lat: 49.359 ;
Individual & Institutional Roles
Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology
Record Identifiers
PaperId(s): 381