Washington Square Park (Rochester, New York) Explained
Washington Square Park is an urban park in Rochester, New York. It contains the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, erected in 1892.[1]
History
It was formerly known as Johnson's Square.[2] The land for the park was donated to the public by Elisha Johnson in 1817.[3]
On 1 August 1848, it was the site of a public address by Frederick Douglass.[4] Douglass also spoke there in 1852.[2]
In 1892, U.S. President Benjamin Harrison spoke at the dedication of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, without mentioning slavery, despite Frederick Douglass's presence next to the podium.[5]
Austin Steward wrote in his Twenty-Two Years a Slave, and Forty Years a Freeman that numerous Black Americans celebrated the end of slavery in New York in Johnson's Square on July 5.[6] [7]
In 2017, the Washington Square Park Neighborhood Association received a $15,000 grant to develop a new Master Plan for the park.
Austrian cannon
An Austrian cannon captured by the Italian army during the Battle of Vittorio Veneto in World War I was given as a gift to Rochester in 1921 by the Italian government. The cannon was given as a symbol of the patriotism of the large Italian immigrant population in Rochester at the time.[8] At least 1,400 Rochester residents Italian descent fought in the war.[9] The cannon was restored and rededicated in 2017 in time for the centenary of World War I.
Notes and References
- Web site: Soldiers and Sailors Monument. 2020-07-06. Democrat and Chronicle. 2018.
- Book: The encyclopedia of New York State. 2005. Syracuse University Press. Eisenstadt, Peter R., 1954-, Moss, Laura-Eve.. 0-8156-0808-X. 1st. Syracuse, N.Y.. 57506556. 501.
- Book: Shilling, Donovan A.. Rochester's remarkable past : twenty-four most unusual stories about some very unique people, places and events. 2011. Pancoast Pub. 978-0-9821090-7-6. [Victor, N.Y.]. 729265587. 66.
- Book: Blair, William A.. Journal of the Civil War Era, Summer 2012 Issue.. 2012. University of North Carolina Press. 978-0-8078-5264-4. Chapel Hill. 795119929. 190.
- Web site: 2016-05-30. Memorial Day, 1892, when President Benjamin Harrison dedicated the Soldier's and Sailor's Monument in Washington Square Park with Frederick Douglass. And Occupy Rochester. 2020-07-06. Talker of the Town. en-US . https://web.archive.org/web/20210119124404/https://talkerofthetown.com/2016/05/30/memorial-day-1892-when-president-benjamin-harrison-dedicated-the-soldiers-and-sailors-monument-in-washington-square-park-with-frederick-douglass-and-occupy-rochester/. 19 January 2021.
- Book: Steward, Austin. Twenty-Two Years a Slave, and Forty Years a Freeman. William Alling, Exchange Street. 1852. 150.
- Web site: Steward. Austin. Twenty-Two Years a Slave, and Forty Years a Freeman; Embracing a Correspondence of Several Years, While President of Wilberforce Colony, London, Canada West: Electronic Edition. 7 July 2020.
- Web site: Kramer . David . The Austrian cannon is back in Washington Square Park. And some Italian Rochester history. . Talker of the Town . 8 July 2020 . 28 January 2018.
- News: News Release - City Rededicates World War I Cannon in Washington Square Park . 8 July 2020 . City of Rochester . 9 November 2017.
