When asked what draws them to New York, many visitors mention breathtaking skyscraper views, captivating Broadway shows and shopping along 5th Avenue as being key draws for tourism. Only rarely does anyone discuss its rich history.
Upstate NY provides plenty of ways to discover our history – from historic buildings to breathtaking natural attractions.
Trinity Church
Trinity Church has long recognized stewardship as an integral component of its mission and ministry, so when Queen Anne granted it a tract from Fulton Street to Hudson in 1705 for farming purposes it has been utilized for various purposes including supporting enslaved people.
After the Revolution, Trinity and other Anglican churches legally separated from the Church of England. Trinity’s original building burned during the Great Fire of 1776 but St Paul’s Chapel survived and George Washington even used it after being inaugurated as president in 1789 to pray there.
In 1838, Trinity Church II first opened. At 281 feet tall and with Gothic spires and pointed arches that make it one of downtown Manhattan’s most stunning structures, its 281-foot steeple was considered America’s tallest structure until 1869; until 1890 it stood as the highest structure within New York City proper. Still an active church for worship services as well as music concerts today; its Gothic spires and pointed arches make this building stunning!
Battery Park
Battery Park provides a welcome oasis from the hustle and bustle of city streets, featuring breathtaking waterfront views, monuments, museums and an oasis of lush greenery – including some of North America’s last remaining American Elm Trees! Additionally, there’s The Battery Fountain and SeaGlass Carousel which are must-sees for kids.
Strategic positioning attracts early Dutch settlement and trade. Director General Peter Minuit from the Dutch West India Company negotiates with Lenape for land grants at what later becomes known as The Battery.
During the American Revolutionary War, The Battery fort was constructed as a defense against British attack, serving later as George Washington’s public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Nearby African slaves constructed a wall across Manhattan Island which later served as home for an active Wall Street Slave Market after 1712.
Ellis Island
Few places evoke as much reverence and respect as Ellis Island, which reopened as one of America’s busiest immigration centers in 1892. Since that time, over 12 million European immigrants walked its hallowed hallways as they chased their American dreams. Today visitors can explore exhibits on Ellis Island as well as listen to touching recordings featuring immigrant stories.
This historic site marks the site where George Washington took his oath as President. Visitors can witness his swearing-in, with its exact bible copy used and even an impression left from where Washington stood on his balcony to change history forever.
This New York historical landmark is home to Radio City Music Hall and an indoor skating rink, along with an incredible collection of American fighter planes and ships such as decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Intrepid which visitors can learn more about its military history, such as how it withstood kamikaze plane attacks and torpedo strikes.
Wall Street
Wall Street embodies much of New York City’s history in just a few blocks, from being known as Financial District or even Low-Man (though I wouldn’t advise telling your tenth great-grandfather Nevius this!). You may hear it referred to by other names: Financial District, Lower Manhattan or even Low-Man.
This area was once part of the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam. In 17th-century, Dutch settlers constructed a wall to separate their settlement from Native American camps in the north, later dismantled but leaving behind its name – known today as Wall.
During the Revolutionary War, Newark served as an important port hub and one of the most prosperous cities. Pirates like Captain Kidd found lucrative privateering ventures here which further established Newark as an epicenter of trade.
Several important buildings were constructed during this period, including Trinity Church and Fraunces Tavern – which is believed to be the oldest bar and restaurant in America, serving as a meeting spot for our nation’s Founding Fathers.
