Now and Then
Think back to 50 years ago – 1969. It was a year of excitement and change across the country. The U.S. landed on the moon. Woodstock changed the music scene forever. Closer to home, the LGBT Movement was born just steps away from Washington Square Park.
That same year saw a huge win for those who sought to protect the heritage of the Village when the Greenwich Village Historic District was finally designated. What was going on in Washington Square Park during this time? Let’s take a trip back in time for a look at the Park in 1969, which was undergoing a renovation that brought about quite a few changes.
Garibaldi Plaza
During the 1969 Park renovation, Garibaldi was shifted about 15 feet to the east and a surprise was waiting! A time capsule was discovered under the base of the statue. It contained newspaper accounts of Garibaldi’s death and a history of the Committee for the Monument of Garibaldi, who had helped place the statue.
Today, Garibaldi peacefully guards his portion of the Park. With the addition of the stage during the 1969 renovation, he now bears silent witness to early morning fitness classes, musical performances, and the general hustle and bustle of life in the big city.
Fountain Plaza
Perhaps the most noticeable difference made in the Park during the 1969 renovation was the removal of William “Boss” Tweed’s roadbed. You have Shirley Hayes to thank for that change. She was a local mom who organized a series of actions in the 1950s to prevent the construction of a new roadbed, and then to stop traffic through the Park altogether. With the help of other Villagers such as Jane Jacobs, Tony Dapolito, and even Eleanor Roosevelt, Washington Square Park was closed to traffic.
Now, Fountain Plaza is a bustling space filled with Park users from every walk of life. Children splash in the fountain, buskers practice their craft for captive audiences, and you can find the best people-watching in the world.
The Flagpole
The WWI Memorial Flagpole found its first home in Washington Square Park in a spot centered just south of the Arch. Designed by Stanford White, creator of the Arch, the flagpole was dedicated in 1920 to the local heroes of the War. Located right next to the Fountain, it wasn’t in the most well-protected spot, and by the 1960s it wasn’t uncommon to see the Dover marble pedestal dirty and spotted with graffiti.
During the 1969 renovation the flagpole was relocated east of the Arch, where it still stands amongst the magnolias in spring, and the windflowers in autumn.
Historic photos provided by NYC Parks Photo Archive