The WPA Guide to New York City, (New York: Pantheon Books, 1982)
“Union Square district belongs to the working people of New York.” (p. 198)
“Touched with a bit of Coney Island, democratic, with a robust and loquacious vitality,
Union Square derives its peculiar identity from its international reputations as the center
of America’s radical movement. The tradition of Union Square as a forum for mass
protest was not born until the first decade of the present century. The Flour Riots of 1837
cetered about City Hall; in the 1870’s the battleground moved north to Tompkins Square.
During the Civil War, Unio Square took on significance when the Union cause was
commemorated in meetings, reviews, and parades of departing troops and in the torch
light processions of the pro-Lincoln “Wide Awakes,” the Young Republicans of that day.
IN 1873 unemployment protests were staged, but it was not until the numerous meetings
of Anarchists, Socialists, and “Wobblies” (members of the Industrial Workers of the
World) were held there during the years preceding the World War, that the square began
to assume its importance as a gathering place.” (p. 198-199)
“With the mass unemployment that followed the financial crisis of October, 1929, the
square became the gathering place for the jobless. ON March 6, 1930, the largest
gathering ever held in Union Square occurred: more than thirty-five thousand
unemployed workers and sympathizers crowded around a number of speakers’ stands.”
(p. 199)
“The mass meeting ushered in a new period in the history of labor demonstrations in
Union Square. Public reaction against police interference won the right of assembly in the
park. It became accepted in New York City that the May Day Parade was privileged to
be reviewed at the north end of the square.” (p. 199)
“Recent years have seen the development of many protest centers throughout the city,
diminishing the former concentration of such activities in Union Square. The soapbox
speaker’s old stamping grounds, the traffic triangles at the corners of the square, are now
islands of verdure. Nonetheless, Union Square is likely to continue as the heart of the
city’s radical activities, for in its neighborhood are headquarters of many of New York’s
radical and progressive groups and labor organizations.” (p. 200)
“At the north end a colonnaded bandstand was constructed, overlooking a large plaza
where automobiles are parked unless a mass meeting is scheduled.” (p. 202)
Minutes from National Park System Advisory Board Landmarks Committee Meeting,
Thursday, November 5, 1997, Room 7000B, Main Interior Building, 1849 C Street, NW,
Washington, DC.
When they discussed Union Square Dr. Richard Guy Wilson from the University of
Virginia asked why the Liberty Pole and the War Memorial had not been counted as
contributing to the landmark designation. “Ms. Bernhardt explained these resources
postdated the period of significance. Dr. Wilson noted the limitations of the nomination
process, commenting that thought the non-contributing structures were important to
national history, they could not be counted as contributing because the property was only
being nominated under the labor organization and protest theme. Mr. (Jerry) Rogers,
(Superintendent of NPS) noted that contributing elements of the property are the ones
that have associative value in terms of the nationally significant event that took place
here. However, it would be foolish not to recognize that other elements not directly
associated with this event may be historically important for reasons that do not relate to
the property’s national significance.” Dr. Holly Robinson, CoChair of the Committee.
They discussed other important events in the Square including Lincoln’s speech and the
1930 demonstration. Dr. Butowsky suggested that the nomination can be supplemented
later and that the more areas of significance included the more complicated it will be to
be approved. “Ms. Bernhardt noted the designation of Union Square may give
opportunity for interpretation of other events beyond the labor associated events that
occurred here. Ms. (Carol) Shull (Chief of the National Historic Landmarks Survey and
Keeper, National Register of Historic Places) acknowledged the limitation of making the
area of significance the only recognized value. She expressed her hope to include
opportunity for comment on values other than those that make a property nationally
significant in future guidelines for preparing NHL nominations.” However it is difficult
for researchers to document areas of significance outside the theme study they are
concerned with. Mr. (Robie) Lange said that the issue goes beyond what is just in the
theme study. “non-contributing resources do not receive the same protection under
Section 106 as those listed as contributing.” “Dr. Robinson asked for the standard motion
to recommend Union Square for NHL designation under NHL Criterion 1. Mr.
Dangermond so moved. Mr. Westbrook seconded. Dr. Robinson called the vote. The
vote carried unanimously.”
Press Release from the City of New York: “Mayor Giuliani Dedicates Union Square Park
as a National Historic Landmark”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Saturday, September 12, 1998
Release #426-98
Contact: Colleen Roche/Jennifer Chait (212) 788-2958
Edward Skyler (Parks) (212) 360-1311
MAYOR GIULIANI DEDICATES UNION SQUARE PARK AS A NATIONAL
HISTORIC LANDMARK
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today took part in the dedication of Union Square Park as a
National Historic Landmark. The Mayor was joined by Governor George E. Pataki,
Senator Daniel P. Moynihan, Senator Alfonse M. D'Amato, New York Central Labor
Council President Brian M. McLaughlin and Parks Commissioner Henry J. Stern.
The selection of one of New York City's finest parks was made by the National Parks
Service last November in recognition of the park's role as a focal point in American labor
history. The Park was the site of the first Labor Day Parade on September 5, 1882.
"I am proud to be here today at the dedication of the unique Union Square Park as a
National Historic Landmark," Mayor Giuliani said. "As one of the jewels in City's parks
system, Union Square Park has always been a center of tremendous activity, providing in
the nineteenth and twentieth centuries a stage where entertainment and later workers'
rallies, political protests and mass demonstrations took place. It was in Union Square
Park on September 5, 1882 that over 30,000 union members came together in a show of
unity, strength and commitment to equality and fairness in celebration of the nation's first
Labor Day Parade.
"Over the years, workers from all over the world have come to New York City, turning
our economy into one of the most dynamic and successful in the nation and the world,"
the Mayor continued. "They have supported themselves and their families and have been
responsible for creating the highways, monuments, skyscrapers -- and our parks -- that
have come to define the unique landscape of our City. And there has never been a better
time, or a more fitting place, to celebrate the importance of workers and their
contributions than right here in Union Square Park in New York City. We can all be
proud that this special park is now recognized as a National Historic Landmark."
Governor Pataki said, "It is only fitting that the National Parks Service should recognize
Union Square Park's long history as a focal point for political expression. New York is
proud that the first Labor Day parade took place here in Union Square Park more than a
hundred years ago, establishing a tradition that spread across the nation. Working
together with the City, the State is also investing $400,000 to ensure that future
generations can continue to enjoy the Park."
Parks Commissioner Henry J. Stern said, "What a perfect time to dedicate Union Square
Park as a National Historic Landmark as we enjoy its renaissance and prepare for its halfacre expansion. Thanks to funding from the Mayor's capital budget, the park will grow to
the south and at its corners, creating a beautiful plaza where the Gandhi Gardens provide
a home for their inspirational leader."
Union Square Park became a National Historic Landmark after the New York State
Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation endorsed its application to the
National Park Service, part of the U.S. Department of Interior. The Park's landmark status
was officially approved in November, 1997.
Originally known as Union Place, the area was named in 1815 for the juncture of Boston
Post Road (later Bowery and then 4th Avenue) and Albany Post Road (later
Bloomingdale and then Broadway). In 1832, a fenced-in oval park was constructed at its
center and it was named Union Square. While the park was at the heart of the
entertainment district in the 1870's, Frederic Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, architects
of Central Park, redesigned the Square, by removing the fence and installing a large
fountain at its center. The construction of the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit (BMT)
subway in the 1930's caused another transformation, placing the park four feet above
street level and adding a perimeter wall. By that time, the square had become a popular
site for workers' rallies, political protests and mass demonstrations. The 1960's and 70's
was a bleak period in the Square's history, as the Park became overridden with drug
dealers and other criminal activity.
In 1985, a $3.6 million reconstruction project addressed the park's safety problems and
made it more appealing to park goers. The project built a new plaza at the south end of
the Park, opened up the Park's center lawn, established clear sight lines, relocated
pedestrian paths, and restored the Lincoln and Washington statues. This restoration
corresponded with the renaissance of the Union Square area.
Beginning in Spring, 1999 the Park will undergo another remarkable transformation in its
southern end. This project will extend the southern boundary of Union Square Park 20
feet so that it is even with the northern curbline of 14th Street. The boundary will become
straight instead of elliptical, creating a more accessible pedestrian thoroughfare. The
expansion will also capture the Gandhi Gardens, a monument and floral bed at the
southwestern corner of the park, creating a plaza in the area between the park and the
gardens which has been used for parking. The new parkland will extend to 15th Street,
and enlarge the Park by 20,000 square feet. The project is funded by $2.2 million from
the Mayor's capital budget and $400,000 from the MTA.