Day 7: Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park

Ed met us at the hotel and tasked us with walking the Brooklyn Bridge.  On the way, he briefly pointed out that Brooklyn Heights was the area that Washington’s army fought for its survival against a superior British force in 1776.  The army found itself trapped against the East River by the British army, its demise in hand.  Alas, the Howe brothers hesitated and the British naval flotilla failed to sail up the East River to close the trap.  Under cover of darkness and fog, Washington and his army escaped across the East River at point near the present-day location of the Brooklyn Bridge.  They made their way up Manhattan and crossed into New Jersey to make good their escape.

We walked the bridge, stopping at several places along the way as Ed explained significant pieces of information.  The Great Bridge prepared me very well for an understanding of the engineering and significance of the Brooklyn Bridge.  I did learn what some of the neighborhood names mean, i.e. Dumbo meaning “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass,” and Soho meaning “South of Houston Street.”  The skyline of Manhattan was a spectacular backdrop for the walk.  Through the suspension cables and stays, the Statue of Liberty raised her lamp in the distance.   

The Great Bridge

Manhattan Bridge from Brooklyn Bridge

Tower of Brooklyn Bridge

Statue of Liberty

Oh Say Can You See...

The Builders

Tribute to Emily Warren Roebling

The Brain Trust

Upon reaching the Manhattan side, we re-visited the African Burial Site and since it was open, got to go in the museum.  It took us awhile, since we had to go through a checkpoint complete with airport-style security, where water was inspected and people were made to take drinks out of containers that were not water to prove their safety.  The museum is housed in a Level 4 federal building, which I later learned is may have high-risk law enforcement and intelligence agencies, Federal courts, and judicial offices, and highly sensitive government records. 

We watched a film that explained what historians and archaeologists know about the burial site, as well as the ensuing controversy between community leaders concerned about building on a graveyard and GSA, the federal authority who wanted to build on the burial site.  Ed O’Donnell made the point to some of us later that the film failed to say that while the government looked for ways to still build onsite, many of the community members did not want anything at all constructed and would not have been happy unless the entire site remained forever off-limits.  The memorial ended up being a compromise between the government and the community to still build but to surrender part of the property to build a memorial.  Ed stated that he felt this was a pretty fair way to solve the problem but that a lot of African-Americans were angry with the deal—no surprise given their absolutist positions.  I particularly liked the pictures showing how excavation of the site proceeded, and I hope to share this with the students to show them just how many of these people there were.

African Burial Site

Display of Exhumed Bodies

Close-up of Exhumation Picture

Ray, Patts, Howard, and I grabbed lunch at Carl’s and ate Cheesesteak Sandwiches.  They were large and very tasty.

"The Works" at Carl's

After lunch, we walked part of Central Park.  The park is huge, more than 800 acres.  It was completely planned, and ninety percent of all trees, bushes, plants, etc. were planted to create the park.   The designers wanted an open space area that was nothing at all like the city and where people could go to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city.  They accomplished the task.  It was amazing to see how one could leave the concrete and asphalt outside the park and the temperatures dropped.  Once in the park, the noise of the city faded to a negligible level.  Someone in our group remarked at one point (in the Ramble I believe) that the area reminded them of the trail we walked through the woods at Val-Kill last Thursday, such was the foliage and ground cover.  Meandering trails guarantee that a trek through the park will never get old.  We ended with a group picture near the Bethesda Fountain.

Lake in Central Park

They still let bums sleep in the park?

The Great Lawn

Archway in Central Park

Lake in Central Park

Bridge in Central Park

New York 2010 Group

Several of us made our way to Lombardi’s Pizza for dinner and enjoyed the standard for New York Pizza made at the oldest pizzeria in the country.  It did not disappoint.

Pizza at Lombardi's

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