BOWLING GREEN

A plaque is mounted in Bowling Green for Peter Casear Alberti who was the first Italian settler in New Amsterdam on June 2, 1635.

Starting in 1641 Governor Kieft Governor of New Amsterdam began to fairs to support farmers. The fair for cattle was held on October 15^th and hogs on November 1^st in Bowling Green.

Early in 1664 Englishman Robert Fordham came to terms with the Dutch Government in New Amsterdam (the future New York City) to settle in an area called Heemstede Long Island (later called Hempstead). A disagreement or misunderstanding resulted in soured relations with the Canarsee Tribe. The situation escalated to warfare via Governor Kieft sent over a hundred men to battle on Long Island. The Dutch were considered victors and on August 30^,1645 the sachems of the various surrounding tribes met at Bowling Green to agree to peace and end the war.

In 1732 a railed gate enclosed the park to keep certain elements of the city out of the park including animals.

In 1770 parts of the railing were removed to make artillery during the American Revolution.

In July 1776, citizens heard the Declaration of Independence read and streamed to Bowling Green where the knocked down a statue of King George III of England and melted it down for bullets to fight in the American Revolution.

Establishments surrounding Bowling Green:

1 Broadway – The American Real Estate Exchange (1800’s). In 1760 this site was the home of a local merchant which was taken over by Lord Cornwallis, General’s Howe and Clinton as well as George Washington during the American Revolution.

3 Broadway was the site of Benedict Arnold’s home.

9 and 11 Broadway - Krigier’s or Kruger;’s Tavern later replaced by The King’s Arms Tavern (1600’s). This location was used as General Gage’s headquarters during the American Revolution. It was later the Atlantic Garden (1800’s).

18 Broadway – New York Petroleum Exchange and Stock Board (1800’s)

29 to 39 Broadway - – first houses built by Europeans in Manhattan (1614),

39 Broadway later became the second Presidential Home (aka to The White House) of George Washington after he moved from Cherry Street (1790).

1 Bowling Green – The Produce Exchange (1884), later the Custom House.