View source for Washington Square Arch

{{Short description|Memorial arch in New York City}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox monument
| name          = Washington Square Arch
| native_name   = Washington Arch
| image         = Washington Square Arch (40430304445).jpg
| caption       = The south face of the arch
| location      = [[Washington Square Park]], [[Manhattan]], [[New York City]], United States
| designer      = Architect: [[Stanford White]]<br />Sculptors: Frederick MacMonnies (spandrel panels)<br />Philip Martiny (keystone eagles)<br />Hermon A. MacNeil (''George Washington as Commander-in Chief''<br />Alexander Stirling Calder (''George Washington as President'')
| type          = 
| material      = [[Tuckahoe marble]]
| length        = 
| width         = {{cvt|57|ft|m|sortable=on}}
| height        = {{cvt|73.5|ft|m|sortable=on}}
| weight        = 
| extra_label   = Span
| extra         = {{cvt|30|ft|m|sortable=on}}
| visitors_num  =
| visitors_year =
| begin         = 
| complete      = 
| dedicated     =
| open          = 
| restore       = 
| dismantled    = 
| dedicated_to  = 
| coordinates   = {{coord|40.7312355|-73.9971028|type:landmark_globe:earth_region:US-NY|display=inline,title}}
| website       =
|builder=David H. King, Jr.}}

The '''Washington Square Arch''', officially the '''Washington Arch''',<ref name="Gardner">{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703386704576186622072300888|title=Inside the Washington Arch|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=March 8, 2011|last1=Gardner|first1=Ralph Jr.|access-date=March 12, 2017|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625163925/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703386704576186622072300888|url-status=live}}</ref> is a [[marble]] [[Memorial gates and arches|memorial arch]] in [[Washington Square Park]], in the [[Greenwich Village]] neighborhood of [[Lower Manhattan]], New York City. Designed by architect [[Stanford White]] in 1891,<ref name="auto">{{cite web | url=https://quarriesandbeyond.org/cemeteries_and_monumental_art/pdf/monumental_news_may_1892.pdf | access-date=2023-12-01 | title=The Monumental News | archive-date=June 19, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619215142/https://quarriesandbeyond.org/cemeteries_and_monumental_art/pdf/monumental_news_may_1892.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref> it commemorates the [[George Washington's legacy#Monuments and memorials|centennial]] of [[First inauguration of George Washington|George Washington's 1789 inauguration as President of the United States]], and forms the southern terminus of [[Fifth Avenue]].

==Description==
Washington Arch, constructed of white [[Tuckahoe marble]], was conceived by [[Stanford White]], who adapted the form of a Roman [[triumphal arch]], with a design close to the 1st-century [[Arch of Titus]] in Rome. They were monuments which the [[Roman Republic]] and later emperors built throughout the empire to celebrate a victory or event. For example, the flying figures in the [[spandrel]]s on either side of the arch are [[Victoria (mythology)|winged victories]]. The monument's total height is 77 feet (23 m). The piers stand {{convert|30|ft|m}} apart and the [[arch]] opening is {{convert|47|ft|m}} high. 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 inscription on the attic story reads:
{{blockquote|Let us raise a standard to which the wise and the honest can repair. The event is in the hand of God.|Washington}}

The north side of the eastern pier bears the [[sculpture]] ''George Washington as Commander-in-Chief, Accompanied by Fame and Valor'' (1914–1916) by [[Hermon A. MacNeil]]; the President is flanked by [[Pheme|Fame]] (left) and [[Nerio|Valor]] (right). The western pier has ''George Washington as President, Accompanied by Wisdom and Justice'' (1917–18) by [[Alexander Stirling Calder]] (father of [[Alexander Calder]]), with flanking  [[Lady Justice|Justice]] (right) and [[Sophia (wisdom)|Wisdom]] (left) figures.<ref>[http://www.museumplanet.com/tour.php/nyc/wv/16 Washington as President] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071108084516/http://www.museumplanet.com/tour.php/nyc/wv/16 |date=November 8, 2007 }} from museumplanet.</ref> In the latter sculpture, a hand holds a book bearing the [[Latin]] phrase ''Exitus Acta Probat'' ("the end justifies the deed"). These sculptures are commonly referred to as ''Washington at War'' and ''Washington at Peace'', respectively. These figures and most of the rest of the carving on the arch was performed by the [[Piccirilli Brothers]].<ref>Reynolds, Donald Martin, ''Monuments and Masterpieces: Histories and Views of Public Sculpture in New York City,'' New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1988, pp. 359–361</ref>

Upon the last stone is carved a huge "P" in honor of [[Ignacy Jan Paderewski]], the famous Polish pianist and 3rd Prime Minister of Poland, who donated $4,500 collected from one of his concerts in New York.<ref name="auto" />

==History==
In 1889, a large plaster and wood memorial arch was erected over Fifth Avenue just north of Washington Square Park by local businessman and philanthropist [[William Rhinelander Stewart]] (1852–1929). Stewart lived at 17 [[Washington Square North]], and his friends contributed $2,765 toward the work. [[Freemasonry|Freemasons]] from [[St. John's Lodge (New York City)|St. John's Lodge No. 1]] lead a procession through the arch with the [[George Washington Inaugural Bible]] for the Centennial Parade of [[First inauguration of George Washington|Washington's Inauguration]] in 1889.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Callias |first=Manny |date=2017-03-11 |title=Dedication of the Washington Arch in NYC |url=https://www.gwbible.org/blog-content/2017/4/2/st-johns-at-the-dedication-of-the-washington-arch-in-washington-square-park |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=SJ1 Foundation |language=en-US |archive-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428173058/https://www.gwbible.org/blog-content/2017/4/2/st-johns-at-the-dedication-of-the-washington-arch-in-washington-square-park |url-status=live }}</ref> The temporary arch was so popular that more money was raised and, three years later, the permanent stone arch, designed by architect Stanford White, was erected.<ref>Buescher, John. "[http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/ask-a-historian/24172 Architectural Homage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601141616/http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/ask-a-historian/24172 |date=June 1, 2012 }}." [http://www.teachinghistory.org Teachinghistory.org] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128145619/http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/ask-a-historian/24411 |date=November 28, 2017 }}. Accessed July 12, 2011.</ref>

During the excavations for the eastern pier, human remains, a [[coffin]], and a [[gravestone]] dated 1803 were uncovered {{convert|10|ft|m}} below ground level.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geismar|first=Joan H.|url=http://www.nycgovparks.org/download/download.php?downloadFile=WSP_EAS/appendix_3.pdf|title= Washington Square Park: Phase 1A Archaeological Assessment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703234838/http://www.nycgovparks.org/download/download.php?downloadFile=WSP_EAS%2Fappendix_3.pdf |archive-date=July 3, 2007 |page=24 (PDF p. 30)|publisher=[[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation]]|date=August 2005|access-date=October 1, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the laying of the cornerstone, Freemasons from [[St. John's Lodge (New York City)|St. John's Lodge No. 1]] were again present with the [[George Washington Inaugural Bible]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The George Washington Inaugural Bible |url=https://www.gwbible.org/the-bible |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=SJ1 Foundation |language=en-US |archive-date=April 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408153933/https://www.gwbible.org/the-bible/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Arch was dedicated in 1895. In 1918, two statues of Washington were added to the north side.

By the late 20th century, the Washington Arch had become extensively defaced with [[spray painting|spray-painted]] [[graffiti]]. It was cleaned and restored in 2003–04.<ref name="Gardner" /> In modern times, the Washington Square Arch has become an unofficial symbol of [[New York University]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NYU History Lesson: The Washington Square Arch |url=https://nyulocal.com/nyu-history-lesson-the-washington-square-arch-5c8017087be2 |website=NYULocal |date=November 16, 2016 |access-date=30 January 2021 |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008220445/https://nyulocal.com/nyu-history-lesson-the-washington-square-arch-5c8017087be2 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Gallery==
<div align=center><gallery widths="175px" heights="205px">
File:2015 Washington Square Arch from northwest.jpg|The north face of the Washington Square Arch
File:20140526-WashingtonArch_SouthFace_Night.jpg|South face of the Washington Arch at night
File:Washington in War MacNeil.jpg|''George Washington as Commander-in-Chief'' (1914–1916) by [[Hermon A. MacNeil]]
File:Washington in Peace Calder.jpg|''George Washington as President'' (1917–1918) by [[Alexander Stirling Calder]]
File:History of the Washington arch in Washington square, New York, including the ceremonies of laying the corner-stone and the dedication. (1896) (14587273200).jpg|Ceremony of laying the cornerstone of the arch, May 30, 1890
File:Hassam Washington Arch Spring.jpg|[[Childe Hassam]], ''Washington Arch, Spring'', c. 1893
File:Charles Frederick William Mielatz, Washington Arch, 1909, NGA 147305.jpg|''Washington Arch'', illustration by [[Charles Frederick William Mielatz]], 1909
File:LeonDoliceWashingtonSquareArchEtching1922.jpg|Etching by [[Leon Dolice]], 1922
File:New York Photo Safari OHNY Washington Square Park.jpg|A view from directly beneath the arch
File:Reception of Prince of Udine, New York City-Passing Washington Arch-1917 LCCN97517208.jpg|Reception of [[Prince Ferdinando, Duke of Genoa (1884–1963)|Prince Ferdinando, Duke of Genoa]], passing Washington Arch, 1917
File:(King1893NYC) pg972 WASHINGTON SQUARE AND WASHINGTON ARCH.jpg|Washington Square and Arch from ''King’s Handbook of New York City'', 1893
File:WashingtonSquareArchEvening HopeLourieKillcoyneKillcoyne.jpg|Photo taken in 2010
File:Washington Square Arch (1) 03.jpg|Photo taken in 2015
File:U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division parade in New York City.jpg|[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]'s [[82nd Airborne Division]] parade passing the Arch, 1946
</gallery></div>

==See also==
*[[List of post-Roman triumphal arches]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://dlib.nyu.edu/findingaids/html/nyhs/varick/ Guide to the Records of the Washington Arch, 1872–1925]

{{Fifth Avenue}}
{{Greenwich Village}}
{{George Washington|state=collapsed}}
{{Public art in Manhattan}}
{{Alexander Stirling Calder}}
{{Hermon Atkins MacNeil}}
{{McKim, Mead & White}}
{{Portal bar|Architecture|New York City}}

[[Category:1892 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1892]]
[[Category:Fifth Avenue]]
[[Category:George Washington in art]]
[[Category:Greenwich Village]]
[[Category:Latin inscriptions]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials to George Washington in the United States]]
[[Category:New York (state) historical anniversaries]]
[[Category:Sculptures by the Piccirilli Brothers]]
[[Category:Terminating vistas in the United States]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Triumphal arches in the United States]]
[[Category:Vandalized works of art in New York City]]
[[Category:Sculptures of books]]
[[Category:McKim, Mead & White buildings]]