Firemen's Monument 9/11

Firemen's Monument - September 11th Tribute

1,170 New York City Firefighters have died in the line of duty since 1865 when the City officially took control of the volunteer department. Of those deaths, 343 perished between 9:59 and 10:28am on September 11th, 2001, during the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. This Sunday, September 11, 2016, marks the 15th anniversary of that tragic day. As the sister and niece of 2 retired members of the FDNY, I would like to dedicate this post to all the brave firefighters who risk their lives every day to keep us safe.

Each Fall, a ceremony is held to honor the fallen at the site of the Firemen’s Memorial at 100th Street and Riverside Drive. This grand monument, designed by H. Van Buren Magonigle and the accompanying sculptures depicting heroism, duty and sacrifice, created by Alttilio Piccirlli was dedicated in 1913. In 1927, a bronze tablet was added to remember the horses, which in earlier years, pulled the fire department’s engines. Carved on the wall facing East reads: 

To the men of the fire department
of the city of New York
who died at the call of duty
soldiers in a war that never ends
this memorial is dedicated
by the people of a grateful city
Erected MCMXIII

Tribute may also be paid at the 9/11 Memorial located at the former site of the Trade Center as well as the 9/11 Memorial Room located in the New York City Fire Museum at 278 Spring Street. Visitors to the Trade Center can view the names of all 2,977 victims inscribed on the two memorials that surround the pools where the buildings stood. The names of all the first responders are grouped together on the wall of the South pool.  At the NYC Fire Museum, the names and pictures of all 343 firefighters are displayed on a black marble and tile memorial.

For more on The Firemen’s Memorial:
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/21/realestate/streetscapes-100th-street-riverside-drive-1913-memorial-new-york-city-s-fallen.html

For more on the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero:
http://www.911memorial.org/

For more on the NYC Fire Museum: http://www.nycfiremuseum.org/gallery_page.cfm?alias=permanent-ex-911

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Pamela Ajhar

Linda's Lawn in Riverside Park South

This weekend marks the 123rd year Labor Day will be celebrated in the United States. It became an official federal holiday in 1894, honoring the social and economic contributions of American workers. One such public servant who worked tirelessly for the people of New York City was urban planner and activist, Linda Stone Davidoff (1941-2003). During her 40 years of advocacy, she headed several non-profit organizations, including The Parks Council, The New York League of Conservation Voters, Citizen Action of New York and Citizens Union and Citizens Union Foundation. She was also instrumental in the development of Riverside Park South. In recognition of those efforts, Linda’s Lawn, which runs along Riverside Park South from 65th to 68th Street was named in her honor in 2004.

Beginning in 1991, she led a coalition that worked to create a plan for the utilization of 27 acres of Hudson River waterfront property which was formerly used by several Railroad Companies. Running from 72nd Street down to 57th Street, and connecting to the northern portion of Riverside Park, this multi-phase project came to be known as Riverside Park South. In November 1998, the first phase began with a 7 acre section from 72nd to 68th Street. The fourth phase and most recent was completed in 2007, linking 62nd to 57th Street. Riverside Park South is a beautiful urban landscape with winding trails, river piers, lush plantings, weeping willow trees, remnants from the days of the railroad and a really interesting Arts Students League installation that is up until May 2017.

New York Central Railroad 69th Street Transfer Bridge
National Register of Historic Places 2003

If you are celebrating Labor Day weekend this year in the city, stop by Linda’s Lawn and remember to pay tribute to a woman who loved this city and worked hard to help make it a great place to live. 

Inscription on Sculpture: Our Lives Begin to End The Day We Become Silent About the Things That Matter. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

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If you’d like to subscribe to my blog and receive notification of future posts, please select SUBSCRIBE from the pull-down menu above.
If you’d like to know more about me and my listings at Brown Harris Steven, please select REAL ESTATE from the pull-down above of CLICK HERE or Visit: https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/pamela-ajhar

Pamela Ajhar