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Fort Tryon Park is located in Washington Heights, New York City. It is situated on a 67 acre ridge in northern Manhattan, with a commanding view of the Hudson River, the George Washington Bridge, the Palisades and the Harlem River. It is also home of The Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to Medieval art and culture, located in medieval buildings that were purchased in Europe, brought to the United States, and reassembled.
The park was the site of an American Revolutionary War battle on November 16, 1776 between 600 American soldiers and 4000 invading Hessian troops hired by Great Britain. Margaret Corbin became the first woman to fight in the war and was wounded during the battle. After the British won, the fortification was named after Sir William Tryon, the last British Governor of the New York colony.
Later it became the private residence of a succession of wealthy owners, including Dr. Samuel Watkins, founder of Watkins Glen, General Daniel Butterfield, Boss Tweed and C. K. G. Billings. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. purchased the Billings estate in 1917. He hired Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., son of the designer of Central Park, to plan a park that he would give to the city. The par was constructed during the Great Depression, providing many jobs. The project included the 190th Street subway station, on the IND A train (which is the closest station to the park). The park was completed in 1935. Olmstead included extensive flower plantings, including a Heather Garden that was restored in the 1980s. Besides the gardens and the Cloisters, the park has extensive walking paths and meadows.
The park is built on a formation of Manhattan mica schist and contain interesting examples of igneous intrusions and glacial striations. The lower lying regions to the east and north of the park are built on Inwood marble.
Source
- A Guide to Fort Tryon Park and the Heather Garden, City of New York, Parks & Recreation Department.
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