Foley Square Facts for Kids

Triumph of the Human Spirit at Foley Square in 2019

Foley Square is a well-known place in Lower Manhattan, New York City. It's where several streets meet and it includes a small park called Thomas Paine Park. The square is located near Manhattan's Chinatown and Tribeca. It was named after Thomas F. "Big Tom" Foley (1852–1925), who was an important local leader.

History of Foley Square
What You Can See at Foley Square
Protests and Rallies at Foley Square
- Notable Protests
Gallery
See also

History of Foley Square

Foley Square is built on what used to be a part of a large pond called Collect Pond. This pond was once a main source of fresh water for the city. However, by 1811, the pond became very dirty. Because of this, it was drained and filled in. The area around the pond was once known as the Five Points neighborhood.

What You Can See at Foley Square

Foley Square is surrounded by many important government buildings. These buildings have classic designs with grand entrances.

Important Buildings

Some of the key buildings around the square include:

The United States Courthouse, built in 1933. In front of it, you can see a sculpture called Triumph of the Human Spirit by artist Lorenzo Pace.
The New York County Courthouse.
The Church of St. Andrew.
The Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse, which is where the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is located.
The Manhattan Municipal Building.
The Ted Weiss Federal Building.
The Jacob K. Javits Federal Building and the Court of International Trade.

Historical Markers and Art

You can also find five bronze medallions on the sidewalks around the square. These medallions tell the history of the park and its surroundings. One of them marks the "Negro Burial Ground." This was an 18th-century African-American burial ground found when the square was being built. Today, it is protected as the African Burial Ground National Monument.

A large public art piece called Tilted Arc by Richard Serra was once displayed in the square from 1981 to 1989. It was later removed after some debate. In 2005, Thomas Paine Park officially became part of the square.

Special Uses of the Square

Foley Square has been used for many special events. On September 11, 2001, it was used as a place to help injured people.

The Foley Square Greenmarket is a market that runs all year. It sells fresh fruits, vegetables, and baked goods from local farms. Because it is close to Chinatown, many people often gather at Foley Square in the mornings to practice tai chi, a traditional Chinese exercise.

Protests and Rallies at Foley Square

Foley Square is a common place for people to gather and express their opinions. Many protests and rallies have taken place here.

Notable Protests

On November 17, 2011, a large protest happened here as part of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Thousands of people attended, including members of different unions.
In December 2014, many thousands gathered to protest a decision related to the death of Eric Garner.
In November 2016, people protested against the Dakota Access Pipeline. They showed support for the Standing Rock water protectors. Many protesters were arrested during this event.
In January 2017, various groups organized a rally called "NYC Stand Against Trump" at Foley Square. This was to protest the inauguration of Donald Trump.