Pour one out to the Founding Fathers.
For a solid four years of my life, when I grew up I wanted to be a Historical Reenactor at Plymouth Plantation. My parents humored this until it clearly wasn’t a phase, then I got kindly ushered to the Sciences, with a pit stop in Broadway Theater and a brief stint as President. The kind folk they are, they made my dreams come true this past Thanksgiving as seen below, with a performance I’m pretty sure we nailed, minus my slight deviations due to Jameson and my eating all the marshmallows on top of the sweet potato casserole. Yes, Tim Lawton, that was me.
^Plymouth PlanSLAYtion
As I’ve *matured*, I’ve realized the individuals in costumes at these places aren’t completely normal (there’s the pot calling the kettle black). I’m lucky because in my career, I can channel my past dreams and subtly give historical tours during my appointments. Slowly inching my way up to leading sales appointments in a full colonial outfit where I will only answer when addressed as Martha Washington. Since that’s a few years away, in the meanwhile please keep the places below in mind the next time you’re out and about in the city. We often forget the sacrifices made by the original Patriots in order to breath life into our fledgling country. It’s important to keep these stories close to heart and thank those still fighting to preserve the freedoms promised in our Constitution.
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St Paul’s Chapel – Financial District – 209 Broadway at Fulton St
During the Revolutionary War, Alexander Hamilton drilled troops in its churchyard. George Washington worshiped here regularly, including on his inauguration day.
Federal Hall National Memorial – Financial District – 26 Wall St near Nassau St
The original Federal Hall was built in 1700 and served as our nation’s first Congress, Supreme Court and Executive Branch; it was also where George Washington was inaugurated. The statue of our first President outside the building marks the exact spot of where his swearing in took place.
66th Street and 3rd Avenue – Upper East Side
On September 22, 1776, the 21-year-old Yale graduate and Revolutionary War Solider, Nathan Hale, was hung on this corner by the British for committing espionage. In this spot, he eloquently spoke the famous phrase, “I only regret, that I have but one life to lose for my country.”
Morris-Jumel Mansion – Harlem – 65 Jumel Terrace near Sylvan Terrace
Manhattan’s oldest house temporarily served as General Washington’s headquarters. After he became President, he held a dinner here in 1790 with his cabinet, including John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.
Fraunces Tavern Museum – Financial District – 54 Pearl St near Broad St
This is the tavern where George Washington bid farewell to his troops at the end of the Revolutionary War. And apparently those guys knew how to party.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial – Harlem – 414 West 141st St
If you don’t know who Alexander Hamilton is then kindly unsubscribe from this newsletter. Hamilton’s home, Hamilton Grange, was recently renovated and moved back to its original lot in St. Nicholas Park
Fort Tryon Park – Washington Heights
Broadway to the Hudson River between 190th and Dyckman Streets
This park was the site of the Battle of Fort Washington in 1776, one of the worst American defeats in the war, where 8,000 British troops overwhelmed more than 2,800 American soldiers. Every November, Fort Tryon Park marks the anniversary of the Battle of Fort Washington with full blown reenactments.
Bowling Green – Financial District – Broadway and Whitehall Street
Following the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in New York State, Continental soldiers and patriots toppled the park’s statue of King George III and its parts were melted down and made into ammunition.
The Old Stone House – Park Slope – 336 Third St between Fourth and Fifth Avenues
This reconstruction museum sits in Park Slope’s Washington Park, where part of the 1776 Battle of Brooklyn was waged. Every August the battle is reenacted in Brooklyn, usually at the Old Stone House.
Van Cortlandt House Museum – the Bronx – Broadway at West 246th Street
The oldest house in the Bronx, the museum is located in the southern portion of Van Cortlandt Park and was built by the wealthy Dutch Van Cortlandt family in the 17th century. During the Revolution, George Washington used the house as his home base.
*Fun Fact – Van Cortlandt Park is one of the most famous championship cross-country courses in the United States*
*Fun Fact – Van Cortlandt Park is one of the most famous championship cross-country courses in the United States*