WASHINGTON SQUARE ARCH GENERATOR

“Let its base be made of South Carolina granite,” the paper said, “and let all the others of the original states contribute to the columns upon which the triumphal arch will rest.” Other voices chimed in, The Charleston News proposing that the arch should be constructed of native stone from the 13 original states. The amount of the fund necessary was raised to $100,000 for the arch and another $50,000 for the sculptures. Potter complained that the location would hinder the construction of a 5th Avenue elevated railroad.Ī month after the centennial celebrations, Stanford White suggested that the arch be constructed of marble rather than granite and that it be decorated with sculptural groups. The Real Estate Record and Guide argured that “Twenty years from now the neighborhood will be so changed in character that no one will visit near it,” and wealthy politician Orlando B. Not everyone was in favor of the location, however. It was also quickly agreed that the stone arch would necessarily have to be located within Washington Square – the bases on the sidewalks of 5th Avenue would hinder foot traffic.

The newspaper, the Critic, first suggested a granite reproduction and the Committee on Art quickly applauded the idea. The arch was so well-received that there arose an immediate outcry for a permanent version.

WASHINGTON SQUARE ARCH GENERATOR

The noise of the generator proved nearly as irritating as the spectacle of the hundreds of lights were beautiful. White embellished the arch with electrical lights, provided by the Edison Light Company, and powered by a generator in a neighboring yard. Two stuffed American bald eagles were mounted on either side of the keystone, the larger measuring 7 feet, 6 inches. “The idea has been to carry out a type of architecture whch prevailed during colonial and Washington’s own time, and which belongs more naturally to this country than any other.”īunting hung from the arch and bunches of flags were arranged at the sides including foreign flags of countries “from whom the population of this country is mainly recruited by immigration.” “One of the most beautiful arches erected in the city is the Washington triumphal arch,” wrote The New York Times on April 28, 1889. Of the four temporary arches erected throughout the city for the event, this one took the cake. A 10-foot high polychrome statue of Washington found in an antique shop was placed on top. The plaster was painted a gleaming ivory-white and adorned with molded ornamentation of festoons and wreaths. The original plaster and wooden arch spanned 5th Avenue block north of Washington Square - photo Library of Congress Costing $2,500 raised through private donations, it was erected one block north of Washington Square, spanning 5th Avenue a few days before the centennial date. White designed a wooden structure slathered with “staff” - a mixture of molded plaster over straw. The idea of a temporary arch was almost immediately brought up and equally-quickly agreed upon.

Stewart approached architect Stanford White to serve as director of the commemoration. While such arches had been a fixture in major European cities for centuries, there had never been a stone arch erected in the United States to date. That same year Queen Victoria’s 50th year on the throne was celebrated in London with elaborate displays around temporary triumphal arches. In 1887, while several different groups were hatching ideas for the celebration, William Rhinelander Stewart – a member of the wealthy Rhinelander real estate and sugar-importing family – devised his own idea of the festivities. The anniversary would also provide an opportunity to remind the country that New York was the nation's first capitol. Victorian New Yorkers were eager for any reason to stage elaborate celebrations with public fanfare and the approaching centennial of George Washington’s inauguration on Approvided just such an excuse.

Washington square arch