An unusual piece of wood...

#RockSolidHistory from #FrauncesTavern in Manhattan to continue with #PresidentsDay and #GeneralGeorgeWashington.

There is a piece of wood in the tavern’s museum. It seems unimportant at first, until you realize what this tree probably saw during its lifetime.

During New Amsterdam and Dutch rule, this little tree was born. The area the tree lived in was called Bowling Green. It was a public gathering place at the southern tip of Manhattan that held a lot of significance. First, it was a meeting place for the Dutch.

Then, when the British took over rule, Bowling Green became a parade ground and stately garden. A statue of King George III was also installed.

Later, this statue was removed during the American Revolution, led by General George Washington, for army supplies.

A note tied to this piece of wood in the museum reads:

“This tree stood for over 240 years in what is now known as Bowling Green Park, New York City (opposite the present Customs House) being removed by the Department of Public Parks on October 21, 1919 when it was cut down. The rings of the trunk showed that it was over 200 years old so that it was probably standing during the days of the Dutch occupation of New Amsterdam. Within 200 feet formerly stood the statue of King George Third torn down by the populace and molded into lead bullets for the Continental soldiers in the early days of 1776.” --Edwin Irvine Haines, 41 Broad Street, New York.

The army was nothing of not thrifty. And this tree saw a lot!

#BowlingGreenHistory #BowlingGreenNYC #FrauncesTavern #FrauncesTavernHistory #oldtreehistory #BowlingGreenTree #NewAmsterdam