Stonewall National Monument facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stonewall National Monument |
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Stonewall Inn the day after President Obama's dedication on June 24, 2016
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| Type | Cultural |
| Location | West Village, Manhattan, New York City |
| Area | 7.7 acres (3.1 ha) near the intersection of Christopher Street and 7th Avenue South |
| Built |
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| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Stonewall National Monument |
| Designated | June 28, 1999 |
| Designated | February 16, 2000 |
| Designated | June 24, 2016 |
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The Stonewall National Monument is a special place in New York City. It's a U.S. National Monument located in the West Village part of Manhattan. This monument covers about 7.7 acres.
The area includes Christopher Park and the street right next to it. Across the street is the Stonewall Inn. This inn is famous because of important events that happened there in June 1969. These events are seen as the start of the modern movement for equal rights for all people in the United States.
Stonewall National Monument is the first U.S. National Monument created to honor the history of equal rights for all. It became a National Monument on June 24, 2016.
Contents
The Park's Early Days
The Stonewall National Monument includes Christopher Park. This park is also known as Christopher Street Park. It covers about 0.19 acres.
Long ago, in the 1600s, this land was a tobacco farm. Over time, the land was divided into smaller farms. Later, in the early 1800s, many people moved into the area. The buildings on Christopher Street became very crowded.
In 1835, a big fire spread through New York City. It destroyed many city blocks, including the small triangle of land where the park now stands. After the fire, this land was turned into a park. The new Christopher Street Park opened in 1837. It was designed by architects Calvert Vaux and Samuel Parsons, Jr.
The Stonewall Inn building, which was originally two stables, opened across Christopher Street in 1843. Later, in the 1900s, the neighborhood changed. The Stonewall Inn became different restaurants over the years.
A Place for Change
In 1966, the Stonewall Inn Restaurant closed for repairs after a fire. It reopened as a tavern in 1967. This tavern became a popular gathering spot for many people.
On June 27, 1969, police visited the inn. This led to protests and demonstrations in the following days. Thousands of people gathered to speak up for their rights. These events made the Stonewall Inn a symbol for equal rights. Christopher Park was also important during these times. People met there the morning after the first day of protests to talk about what happened.
The Park in Recent Years
After these important events, volunteers formed the Friends of Christopher Park. They helped take care of the park. In the 1980s, the park was rebuilt to look like it did originally. New plants were added, and benches, walkways, lights, and gates were replaced.
In 1992, a statue called Gay Liberation was placed in Christopher Park. It was made by artist George Segal. The statue shows four white figures in relaxed poses. The park also has other statues. These include a pole honoring the Fire Zouaves and a bronze statue of Union general Philip Sheridan. These honor American Civil War fighters.
Meanwhile, the Stonewall Inn changed owners many times. By the 1990s, it was once again a popular gathering place.
Becoming a National Landmark
In 1999, the Stonewall Inn, Christopher Park, and nearby streets were officially recognized as important historical sites. This was the first time a place was listed specifically for its connection to equal rights history. In 2000, the same area was named a National Historic Landmark.
In 2015, the Stonewall Inn became a New York City Landmark. This was the first city landmark to honor a place important to equal rights. People in Greenwich Village then asked for the inn and park to become a National Monument. They wanted to make sure this important site would be protected.
On June 24, 2016, President Barack Obama officially made Stonewall a National Monument. This was the first U.S. National Monument dedicated to equal rights history. Many important people attended the dedication ceremony. This included the mayor of New York City, a senator, and the Secretary of the Interior. The monument covers about 7.7 acres. It includes the Stonewall Inn, Christopher Street Park, and the street next to the park.
A group was formed to raise money for the monument. They wanted to build a ranger station, a visitor center, and create exhibits. In 2017, a rainbow flag was raised at the monument. It was the first official rainbow flag at a federal monument.
