Fraunces Tavern Museum New York City.com : Profile

Arts & Attractions Fraunces Tavern Museum

Collections at the Fraunces Tavern Museum include manuscripts, books, paintings and objects from the Revolutionary Era.

The paintings include 46 works by John Ward Dunsmore (1856-1945) as well as extensive collections of the art from Harry A. Ogden (1856-1936) and Henry Hintermeister (1897-1970). Other painters represented include Emanuel Leutze (1816-1868). In addition to the oil paintings, other works of art on paper extend the collection to more than 800 pieces.

Objects from the Revolutionary period include muskets, pistols, powder horns, tools, watches, swords, as well as a small collection of items associated with Washington, Lafayette and other leaders of the Revolution.

In addition, Fraunces Tavern Museum preserves thousands of rare manuscripts,including some written by Washington, Nathan Hale and other prominent participants in the nation's founding. The manuscripts include maps, letters and diaries. There are also thousands of books of interest to historians and those involved in genealogical research.

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Financial District Description

Fraunces Tavern Museum is located in the Financial District neighborhood of Manhattan. The financial hub of the United States, the seat of New York City government, and home to some of New York's oldest buildings, the Financial District has an illustrious history. 17th century settlers began building here, and given the many seafarers of the time, boats could be conveniently docked at one of the slips right near the settlements of wooden homes. Right nearby, in the heart of the district is Federal Hall, where George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States in 1789, also the meeting site for the First Congress. New York City was both the capital of the United States and New York State at the time.

The street names reflect the district's fascinating history: Fulton Street, named after Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat; Maiden Lane, originally called Magde Platje in Dutch; Beaver Street, recalling the once-significant beaver pelt trade, etc.

The area today houses some great economic powerhouses, including the headquarters of major banks, the New York Stock Exchange, in addition to the World Financial Center. Contrasts are extraordinary, from old two- and three-story old brick buildings near South Street Seaport to the nearby modern mega-skyscrapers. Some of the numerous other attractions include Fraunces Tavern, where George Washington bid farewell to his troops (also, they have a museum!); the newly-landscaped City Hall Park; the Museum of the American Indian and the US Custom House at Bowling Green; Trinity Church, the first parish church in New York City and the resting place of Alexander Hamilton and Robert Fulton, among others; War Of 1812 strong hold Castle Clinton; the Staten Island-bound South Ferry; Battery Park; and the Federal Reserve Bank. Sadly, the biggest attraction since 9/11 has been the former World Trade Center site, although, thankfully, construction has finally filled the long-standing gouge in Lower Manhattan's face, and the stunning 9/11 Memorial and its attendant museum are welcome signs of a healing city. And, of course, soaring a symbolic 1,776 feet over the memorial is the new 1 World Trade Center!

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New York Collection

The collection captures an important portion of New York City's past, which is as colorful and vibrant as its present. What began as New Amsterdam, a rather insignificant Dutch outpost, became New York in 1664. Under English rule the city took on greater importance as part of Britain's vast trade sy... [ + ]stem and as a strategic military base for conflicts with France for control of North America. By 1771 the city's population stood at over 20,000. In 1785 the Continental Congress selected New York as its meeting site. During this time Fraunces Tavern served as offices for the Departments of War, Treasury, and Foreign Affairs. With the adoption of the Constitution, the city became the first Federal capital in 1789. The following year the capital moved temporarily to Philadelphia. By that time New York was well on its way to becoming, if not the political center of the nation, America's capital of commerce and culture.

In addition to numerous maps, prints, and newspapers, the Museum owns such rare pieces of New York's past as a panel from Washington's inaugural coach and a large, wooden water pipe.

01/20/2021 12:00 PM

Wed, January 20

12:00PM