General Grant National Memorial - 1897 - This memorial to Ulysses S. Grant, victorious Union commander of the Civil War, includes the tomb of General Grant and his wife, Julia Dent Grant. A West Point graduate, Grant served in the Mexican War and at various frontier posts, before rapidly rising through the ranks during the Civil War. Grant's tenacity and boldness led to victories in the Battles of Vicksburg and Chattanooga and Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox, scenes depicted by mosaics in the tomb. In 1866 Congress awarded Grant his fourth star making him the first full General of the Armies. A grateful nation twice elected Grant to serve as President of the United States, from 1869 to 1877. Grant's accomplishments include signing the act establishing the first national park, Yellowstone, on March 1, 1872. After the Presidency, Grant settled in New York City. Ulysses S. Grant died of throat cancer on July 23, 1885 in Mount McGregor, New York, and was laid to rest in New York City on August 8th. Approximately 90,000 people from around the country and the world donated a total of over $600,000 towards construction of his tomb, the largest public fundraising effort ever at that time. Designed by architect John Duncan, the granite and marble structure was completed in 1897 and remains the largest mausoleum in North America. Over one million people attended the parade and dedication ceremony of Grant's Tomb, on April 27, 1897. Overlooking the Hudson River from Morningside Heights, General Grant National Memorial is both the final resting place for Civil War hero and 18th president Ulysses S. Grant and a memorial to his life & accomplishments. Designed by architect John Duncan and completed in 1897, the National Park Service maintains Grant's Tomb, which is the largest mausoleum in North America. Duncan's ambitious original design, chosen by the Grant Monument Association, included monumental staircases leading down through terraced gardens to a dock on the river.

Abraham Lincoln Statue - 1869 - Located in Prospect Park. Standing figure (over life-size) on integral plinth on pedestal with wreaths and insignia of US Army and Navy at front and rear, and two eagles, one proper left and one proper right.

George Washington at Union Square - 1853 - In 1851, a committee of concerned citizens interested in erecting a monument to Washington in New York approached sculptor Horatio Greenough (1805–1852), known for his huge classical marble portrait of Washington. Simultaneously, the committee also invited Henry Kirke Brown to submit a design, though it was unclear whether he was to assist Greenough or compete with him for artistic selection. Any prospect of collaboration evaporated with Greenough`s premature death in December 1852. Though Brown, like many of his generation, made an obligatory visit to Italy to study, he was part of a group of sculptors attempting to establish a truly American sculptural idiom. His first major public commission was a statue of De Witt Clinton (1769–1828) which he completed for Greenwood Cemetery in 1852. Working at a specially equipped studio in Brooklyn, and assisted extensively by John Quincy Adams Ward (1830–1910), who himself would attain renown as a sculptor, Brown spent 18 months modeling the horse and rider. The moment Brown depicts is that of Evacuation Day, November 25, 1783, when Washington reclaimed the city from the British. With outstretched hand, he signals to the troops in a gesture of benediction, a sculptural motif indebted to precedents from antiquity, most notably the Marcus Aurelius statue on Rome`s Capitaline Hill. Yet Brown`s attention to detail, and the life with which he infuses his subject, unites classical gestures and pose with what has been described as a “simple and direct naturalism.” The piece was cast at the Ames foundry in Chicopee, Massachusetts, one of the first foundries in the United States capable of such large-scale quality work. The names of the donors are inscribed on the skyward face of the bronze sub-base. Brown also sculpted the statue of Abraham Lincoln on the north side of park. On June 5, 1856, the Washington statue was installed on a simple granite base designed by Richard Upjohn. The event drew thousands of spectators. One month later, on July 4, the statue was formally conveyed to the custody of the City of New York. At that time the sculpture stood in a fenced enclosure in the middle of the street, at the southeast corner of the square. As part of the redesign and reconstruction of the park in 1929-30, the sculpture was moved from this traffic island (where it was prone to vehicular traffic and pollution) to its present location and placed centrally in the south plaza. Here it has stood in alignment with Henry Kirke Brown`s sculpture of Lincoln—relocated at that time to the northern park path. In 1989, the sculpture was conserved, and the missing sword and bridle strap recreated through the Adopt-A-Monument Program, a joint venture of Parks, the Municipal Art Society, and the New York City Art Commission. The Citywide Monuments Conservation Program, a public-private initiative, conserved the sculpture in 2001, and performed additional restoration of the bronze in 2004 and granite pedestal in 2006. In the aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, the George Washington sculpture served as a touchstone for collective grieving and public expression, and became the central focus of a massive around-the-clock community vigil and a provisional shrine. These events reaffirmed the symbolic power of New York City`s most venerable outdoor work of art.

George Washington at Federal Hall - 1883 - This sculpture depicts the moment after President Washington took the oath of office, which he did at Federal Hall on Wall Street in 1789. The pedestal was designed by Richard Morris Hunt.

George Washington at City Hall - Jean Antoine Houdon, a famed sculptor from France, was commissioned to create a marble sculpture of George Washington in 1785. Houdon traveled across the ocean to come and take exact measurements of his body and make a life mask of Washington for complete accuracy. He depicted America\'s first president as stoic, and dressed in his Revolutionary War uniform. He holds a cane in one hand and leans against bundle of rods called a fasces--a Roman symbol of civil authority; rods, individually, are easily broken, but nearly impossible to break if bundled together. Houdon depicted thirteen fasces to symbolize the thirteen colonies. This bronze copy of the marble original was made later.

Chester Alan Arthur - 1898 - This monumental bronze portrait of Chester Alan Arthur, the 21st US President. This statue was commissioned by the friends of Arthur at a cost of $25,000. The ornamental base of polished black Barre granite was designed by James Brown Lord. The sculpture depicts Arthur standing in a frock coat before an armchair, draped with a rug, and embossed on the back with the presidential seal. Bissell, who studied art in Paris, Rome and Florence, was a prolific sculptor, and operated a marble business in Poughkeepsie, New York. He also sculpted the portrait of mayor Abraham de Peyster, formerly in Bowling Green Park, and now in Hanover Square in lower Manhattan. The Arthur sculpture was repatined by the city monuments crew in 1968, and was conserved again in 1986-87. Sculptures of Arthur’s contemporaries, Roscoe Conkling (1893) and Secretary of State William Seward (1876) may be found at the southeast and southwest corners respectively of Madison Square Park, and Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ fine effigy of Admiral Farragut (1881) stands vigilant on the northern side of the park’s central axis.Inscription: 1a) Integral plinth, front: [signed] Geo. E. Bissell Sculptor 18981b) Integral plinth, rear: The Henry-Bonnard Bronze Co. Founders New York2a) Pedestal, front: Chester Alan Authur Twenty-First President of the United States of America2b) Pedestal: James Brown Lord Architect

Thomas Jefferson's house in New York - 1790 - Thomas Jefferson rented 57 Maiden Lane while serving as Secretary of State in New York City in 1790. Alexander Hamilton and James Madison had dinner with Jefferson at his home to finalize the deal for what has come to be known as the Compromise of 1790. In 1790 the newly appointed Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, moved to New York, the new country's capital. He wrote to a friend "My first object was to look out a house on the Broadway as being the centre of my business. Finding none there vacant for the present, I have taken a small one in Maiden Lane, which may give me time to look about." Beginning on May 1st, Jefferson rented 57 Maiden Lane from grocers Robert and Peter Bruce for "one hundred pounds per annum New York currency, paiable in specie quarterly."¹ Jefferson would stay at the house until September 1st, when he returned to Virginia before moving to the new temporary national capital in Philadelphia.His residency at No. 57 Maiden Lane was short, just three months; but it was the scene of critical political events, including the dinner party during which the decision was made to move the capital to Philadelphia.A century later, on the site of Thomas Jefferson's temporary home now stood a five-story office building, home to the Provident Realty Company of New-York.

Theodore Roosevelt Equestrian Statue - 1940 - James Earl Fraser depicts the president, Theodore Roosevelt, seated high astride a horse, flanked by a Native American man and an African man standing below. Although this image depicts Roosevelt as sympathetic toward Native Americans due to the noble depiction of the man, it was actually the artist who was the sympathetic one. Fraser was exposed to frontier life and witnessed the mass movement of Native Americans from their land onto reservations. The statue has been linked with the image of the American Museum of Natural History and for decades has been seen by many as a problematic depiction of racial hierarchy. 
 

Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Medallion - The American Museum of Natural History in New York City re-opened its historic Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall on 10/27/2012. Included in the renovation is a bronze medallion by Andrews / LeFevre Studios, which depicts an American bison. Featured is a Theodore Roosevelt quote: "There can be no greater issue than that of conservation in this country." The medallion, along with the greater restoration project, celebrates the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt and his conservation of our national park system. Andrews/LeFevre collaborated with the American Museum of Natural History's exhibition department as well as Studio EIS of Brooklyn, NY, who created the seated Roosevelt figure in bronze. The NY Times profiled the restoration project on October 25, 2012, which concludes that: "the result is stunning."

2nd Presidential Mansion - 1786 - At 39–41 Broadway in Lower Manhattan, New York City, served as the second U.S. Presidential Mansion. President George Washington occupied it from February 23 to August 30, 1790, during New York City's two-year term as the national capital.

Washington Square Park Fountain - 1852 - The first fountain next to the arch was completed in 1852 and replaced in 1872. In 1851, it was described as having "a very large circular basin, with a central jet and several side jets." A story on the completion of the fountain appeared in the first edition of the New-York Daily Times, which would eventually become the New York Times. In 1934, Robert Moses had the fountain renovated to also serve as a wading pool. Since around the end of World War II, folksingers had been congregating on warm Sunday afternoons at the fountain in the center of the park.

Herbert Hoover at the Waldorf Astoria - 1933 - The residence of Herbert Hoover from his retirement for over 30 years

1st Presidential Mansion - 1770 - The Osgood House served as the first Presidential Mansion housing George Washington, his family, and household staff, from April 23, 1789, to February 23, 1790, during New York City's two-year term as the national capital.

Washington Square Arch - 1889 - The Arch commemorates the centennial of George Washington's 1789 inauguration as President of the United States, and forms the southern terminus of Fifth Avenue. Washington Arch, constructed of white Tuckahoe marble, was conceived by Stanford White, who imitated a Roman triumphal arch, namely the Arch of Titus, iconic monuments which Roman emperors built throughout the empire to celebrate a victory or event. The iconography of the Arch centers on images of war and peace. On the frieze are 13 large stars and 42 small stars, interspersed with capital "W"s. The spandrels contain figures of Victory. MacNeil was the artist for Washington as commander in chief; Calder sculpted Washington as civilian.

George Washington Inaugural Bible - 1789 - Everything was ready for the administration of the oath of office to the President of the new government, when it was discovered that a Holy Bible had not been provided on which the President-Elect could swear allegiance to the Constitution. Jacob Morton, who was Marshal of the parade, was standing close by. Seeing the dilemma they were in, he remarked that he could get the altar Bible of St. John`s Lodge where he was the Master, which met at the Old Coffee House on the corner of Water and Wall Streets. Chancellor Livingston begged him to do so. The Bible was brought, and the ceremony proceeded.

Union Square Timeline Medallion 20 - 1876 - Bartholdi sculptor of the Statue of Liberty, cast his Marquis de Lafayette statue in 1873. It was dedicated on July 4, 1876. Originally set facing the Washington statue, the work depicts Lafayette pledging his sword to the General.

Union Square Timeline Medallion 13 - 1861 - The Great Meeting was a demonstration of 150,000 supporters of the Union cause. The flag that was fired upon at Fort Sumter was placed on the Washington statue.

Union Square Timeline Medallion 11 - 1856 - George Washington Statue, sculpture Henry Kirke Brown, assisted by John Quincy Adams Ward

Theodore Roosevelt United States Courthouse - Visible from the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan, the new U.S. Courthouse redefines the Brooklyn skyline and provides a new landmark for the downtown civic center. Located on Camden Plaza, near the borough’s historic main post office and adjoined to the original courthouse, the new building is sympathetic to both historic structures while being contemporary in design. The complex contains an existing 6-?story courthouse, a new 14-?story courthouse, and a 6-?story entry hall. The entry hall ties the two buildings together both functionally and compositionally, providing an easily identified central entrance into the shared lobby. The open, skylit lobby allows both light and air into the heart of the complex. Light is a recurring theme, extending to the artwork that flanks the entrance. Rising 24 feet above the sidewalk on granite pylons, a pair of sculptures by artist Lisa Scheer depicts abstracted torches. Inside the building, sunlight fills all the public spaces, including elevator lobbies, waiting areas, jury lounges and dining areas. Courtrooms and jury deliberation areas also offer natural light and views. A combination of limestone, metal, and glass were used for the three elements of the complex. The entry hall is a curved structure of glass and steel, while the two adjacent buildings are primarily limestone. The stone is similar in color to other prominent public building in downtown Brooklyn, while its reflective quality makes the building appear light. These materials form elegant facades that, along with the distinctive curved massing of the upper tower, acknowledge the prominence of the Courthouse.

Theodore Roosevelt's Birthplace National Historic Site, Flatiron - 1848 - Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site is a recreated brownstone at 28 East 20th Street, between Broadway and Park Avenue South, in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, New York City. It is a replica of the birthplace and childhood home of 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt.

Washington's Coat - 1789 - An article in the Federal Gazette on January 7, 1789, suggested that elected officials should support American manufacturers.  Washington took this to heart and decided to wear an American made waistcoat to the inauguration.  He had a bit of trouble getting the material from the Hartford Woolen Manufacturing Company in Connecticut so he had to resort to enlisting the help of Henry Knox to help him secure it.  After he managed to successfully drag the cannons of Fort Ticonderoga to Boston in the midst of the winter of 1776, Knox’s logistical abilities were easily the best in the country.  A courier was sent with the fabric which arrived in Mount Vernon about a week before Washington had to depart.  Cavan Boa, Washington’s indentured servant, was enlisted to tailor the 'Congress Brown' wool suit that Washington wore.  However, Washington decided that he needed 6 more engraved buttons to complete the look and wrote Henry Knox a letter asking him to get some more so that they could be added when he got to New York.

George Washington Bridge - 1931 - A treasured icon on the Manhattan skyline. O.H. Ammann engineered this timeless bridge and Cass Glbert designed it. When it was built, it doubled the record for the longest span of any bridge in the world; even today it sees the most car traffic of any bridge in the world.

George Washington / Wisdom and Justice - Carved in relief form on the Washington Square Arch, George Washington is depicted in a regal stance in front of human personifications of wisdom and justice. Standing figure (three/quarters round, over life-size) before two figures (over life-size) in high relief, on integral plinth, pedestal

George Washington Historical Marker - Santa Monica - 1932 - In commemoration of the two-hundredth birthday of George Washington, first President of the United States, whose wisdom, foresight, and patriotism are an inspiration to all true Americans.