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Coordinates: 42°26′30″N 76°29′53″W / 42.44167°N 76.49806°W / 42.44167; -76.49806
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{{short description|Historic district in New York, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox NRHP
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = De Witt Park Historic District
| name = De Witt Park Historic District
| nrhp_type = hd | nocat = yes
| nrhp_type = hd
| image = DeWitt Park, Ithaca, New York.jpg
| nocat = yes
| image = DeWitt Park, Ithaca, New York.jpg
| caption =
| caption =
| location= A square bounded roughly by properties fronting on E. Buffalo, E. Court, N. Cayuga, and N. Tioga Sts., [[Ithaca, New York]]
| location = A square bounded roughly by properties fronting on E. Buffalo, E. Court, N. Cayuga, and N. Tioga Sts., [[Ithaca, New York]]
| coordinates = {{coord|42|26|30|N|76|29|53|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|42|26|30|N|76|29|53|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = New York#USA
| locmapin = New York#USA
| mapframe = yes
⚫
| built = 1800
| mapframe-marker = building
⚫
| architect = Multiple
| mapframe-zoom = 12
⚫
| architecture = Greek Revival, Italianate, Romanesque
|mapframe-caption = Interactive map showing the location of De Witt Park Historic District
⚫
| added = October 26, 1971
⚫
| built = 1800
⚫
| area = {{convert|18|acre}}
⚫
| architect = Multiple
| governing_body = Local
⚫
| architecture = Greek Revival, Italianate, Romanesque
⚫
| refnum = 71000561<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref>
⚫
| added = October 26, 1971
⚫
| area = {{convert|18|acre}}
⚫
| refnum = 71000561<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''De Witt Park Historic District''' is a national [[Historic district (United States)|historic district]] located at [[Ithaca, New York|Ithaca]] in [[Tompkins County, New York]]. The district consists of 45 contributing buildings, one contributing site (De Witt Park, known as Town Square until 1869), and three contributing objects. It includes the area developed by the town's founder, Simon De Witt, in the early 19th century. The district includes the separately listed [[Boardman House (Ithaca, New York)|Boardman House]] and [[Second Tompkins County Courthouse]].<ref name="nrhpinv_ny">{{cite web|url=http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=9375|title=National Register of Historic Places Registration: De Witt Park Historic District|date=January 1971|accessdate=2009-09-01 |author=Margaret Marriott|publisher=[[New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation]]}} ''See also:'' {{cite web|url=http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=9380|title=Accompanying 37 photos}}</ref>
'''De Witt Park Historic District''' is a national [[Historic district (United States)|historic district]] located at [[Ithaca, New York|Ithaca]] in [[Tompkins County, New York]]. The district consists of 45 contributing buildings, one contributing site (De Witt Park, known as Town Square until 1869), and three contributing objects. It includes the area developed by the town's founder, Simon De Witt, in the early 19th century. The district includes the separately listed [[Boardman House (Ithaca, New York)|Boardman House]] and [[Second Tompkins County Courthouse]].<ref name="nrhpinv_ny">{{cite web|url=http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=9375|title=National Register of Historic Places Registration: De Witt Park Historic District|date=January 1971|access-date=2009-09-01 |author=Margaret Marriott|publisher=[[New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation]]}} ''See also:'' {{cite web|url=http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=9380|title=Accompanying 37 photos}}</ref>


==Background==
The district is a major crossroads in Ithaca, and contains a wide variety of architectural styles and cultural, social, educational, political and religious functions.<ref name="LivingPlaces" />
The district is a major crossroads in Ithaca, and contains a wide variety of architectural styles and cultural, social, educational, political and religious functions.<ref name="LivingPlaces" />


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==DeWitt Park==
==DeWitt Park==
DeWitt Park is owned by the Presbyterian Church on North Cayuga Street.<ref name="Kammen" /> The church congregation purchased the land from [[Simeon DeWitt]] on August 1, 1815, for the sum of $499.65.<ref name="Kammen" /> The church specifically set the land aside for public enjoyment, rather than a graveyard, which was typical of the day.<ref name="Kammen" /> In 1856 the church came to an agreement with the Village of Ithaca that the church would retain ownership of the park, while the village would be responsible for maintaining it.<ref name="Kammen" /> For many years DeWitt Park was a meetings spot for student of the nearby Ithaca Conservatory (later [[Ithaca College]]),<ref name="Kammen" /> located in the adjacent [[Boardman House (Ithaca, New York)|Boardman House]]
DeWitt Park is owned by the Presbyterian Church on North Cayuga Street.<ref name="Kammen" /> The church congregation purchased the land from [[Simeon DeWitt]] on August 1, 1815, for the sum of $499.65.<ref name="Kammen" /> The church specifically set the land aside for public enjoyment, rather than as a graveyard, which would have been more typical of the day.<ref name="Kammen" /> In 1856 the church came to an agreement with the Village of Ithaca that the church would retain ownership of the park, while the village would be responsible for maintaining it.<ref name="Kammen" /> For many years DeWitt Park was a meetings spot for student of the nearby Ithaca Conservatory (later [[Ithaca College]]),<ref name="Kammen" /> located in the adjacent [[Boardman House (Ithaca, New York)|Boardman House]]


[[Frederick Douglass]], prevented from speaking in any of the local churches or the Village Hall, twice delivered orations in the park.<ref name="Kammen" /><ref name="Chronicle" />
[[Frederick Douglass]], prevented from speaking in any of the local churches or the Village Hall, twice delivered orations in the park.<ref name="Kammen" /><ref name="Chronicle" />

Following the murder of Shawn Greenwood by the Ithaca Police Department on Feb. 23 2010,<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last1=Murtagh|first1=Joseph|date=2 March 2011|title=Community members remember Shawn Greenwood|work=Ithaca.com|url=https://www.ithaca.com/news/local_news/community-members-remember-shawn-greenwood/article_e34f7ecc-607d-5df8-b3d2-fb09c9f44a6f.html|access-date=17 December 2020}}</ref> members of the Ithaca community have renamed DeWitt Park to Shawn Greenwood Park. The new name aims to remember Shawn Greenwood, an African-American man who grew up in Ithaca,<ref name=":0" /> and end the recognition of [[Simeon De Witt]], a former slave owner.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Simeon De Witt|url=https://exhibitions.nysm.nysed.gov/albany/bios/d/sdewitt.html|access-date=2020-12-17|website=exhibitions.nysm.nysed.gov}}</ref>


==Significant properties==
==Significant properties==
[[File:DeWitt Mall Ithaca NY.jpg|thumb|right|DeWitt Mall]]
[[File:First Presbyterian Church, Ithaca NY.jpg|thumb|right|First Presbyterian Church (1901)]]
* The [[Second Tompkins County Courthouse]], the oldest public building in Tompkins County, forms the northern boundary of the district<ref name="LivingPlaces" />
* The [[Second Tompkins County Courthouse]], the oldest public building in Tompkins County, forms the northern boundary of the district<ref name="LivingPlaces" />
* [[Boardman House (Ithaca, New York)|Boardman House]], 120 East Buffalo Street, adjacent to DeWitt Park<ref name="LivingPlaces" />
* [[Boardman House (Ithaca, New York)|Boardman House]], 120 East Buffalo Street, adjacent to DeWitt Park<ref name="LivingPlaces" />
* Bank of Newburgh, 106 East Court Street<ref name="LivingPlaces" />
* Bank of Newburgh, 106 East Court Street<ref name="LivingPlaces" />
* DeWitt Junior High School (1912<ref name="LivingPlaces" /> or 1915<ref>{{cite web |title=Dewitt Mall Turns 100 Years Old |url=https://www.ithaca.com/news/dewitt-mall-turns-years-old/article_978fca4c-8316-11e5-82d4-4f0f757ed862.html |website=Ithaca.com |accessdate=5 January 2019 |quote=it was completed one hundred years ago in 1915}}</ref>), designed by [[William Henry Miller (architect)|William Henry Miller]]<ref name="LivingPlaces" /> (now DeWitt Mall)
* DeWitt Junior High School (1912<ref name="LivingPlaces" /> or 1915<ref>{{cite web |title=Dewitt Mall Turns 100 Years Old |url=https://www.ithaca.com/news/dewitt-mall-turns-years-old/article_978fca4c-8316-11e5-82d4-4f0f757ed862.html |website=Ithaca.com |access-date=5 January 2019 |quote=it was completed one hundred years ago in 1915}}</ref>), designed by [[William Henry Miller (architect)|William Henry Miller]]<ref name="LivingPlaces" /> (now DeWitt Mall)
* Williams-Fisher House, 306 North Cayuga Street<ref name="LivingPlaces" /> (now the William Henry Miller Inn)
* Williams-Fisher House, 306 North Cayuga Street<ref name="LivingPlaces" />
* First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca (1901), designed by [[J. Cleaveland Cady]]<ref>{{cite web |title=First Presbyterian Church |url=https://pocketsights.com/tours/place/First-Presbyterian-Church-14173 |website=Pocket Sights |accessdate=5 January 2019}}</ref>
* First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca (1901), designed by [[J. Cleaveland Cady]]<ref>{{cite web |title=First Presbyterian Church |url=https://pocketsights.com/tours/place/First-Presbyterian-Church-14173 |website=Pocket Sights |access-date=5 January 2019}}</ref>


Two later buildings, the Public Library and Ithaca Savings and Loan Association were designed in a style to be harmonious with the historical character of the neighborhood.<ref name="LivingPlaces" />
Two later buildings, the Public Library and Ithaca Savings and Loan Association were designed in a style to be harmonious with the historical character of the neighborhood.<ref name="LivingPlaces" />
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist|refs=
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="50for50">{{cite web |title=50 for 50: The DeWitt Park Historic District |url=http://www.historicithaca.org/50-for-50-the-dewitt-park-historic-district/ |website=Historic Ithaca |publisher=Historic Ithaca |accessdate=5 January 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="50for50">{{cite web |title=50 for 50: The DeWitt Park Historic District |url=http://www.historicithaca.org/50-for-50-the-dewitt-park-historic-district/ |website=Historic Ithaca |publisher=Historic Ithaca |access-date=5 January 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="Kammen">{{cite news |last1=Kammen |first1=Carol |title=Pieces of the Past: DeWitt Park serves as public space |url=https://www.ithacajournal.com/story/news/local/2014/08/15/ithaca-dewitt-park-public-space/14101153/ |accessdate=5 January 2019 |publisher=Ithaca Journal |date=15 August 2014}}</ref>
<ref name="Kammen">{{cite news |last1=Kammen |first1=Carol |title=Pieces of the Past: DeWitt Park serves as public space |url=https://www.ithacajournal.com/story/news/local/2014/08/15/ithaca-dewitt-park-public-space/14101153/ |access-date=5 January 2019 |publisher=Ithaca Journal |date=15 August 2014}}</ref>
<ref name="Chronicle">{{cite news |last1=Hovis |first1=Kathy |title=Class creates app highlighting Underground Railroad sites |url=https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2017/10/class-creates-app-highlighting-underground-railroad-sites |accessdate=5 January 2019 |publisher=Cornell Chronicle |date=31 October 2017}}</ref>
<ref name="Chronicle">{{cite news |last1=Hovis |first1=Kathy |title=Class creates app highlighting Underground Railroad sites |url=https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2017/10/class-creates-app-highlighting-underground-railroad-sites |access-date=5 January 2019 |publisher=Cornell Chronicle |date=31 October 2017}}</ref>
<ref name="LivingPlaces">{{cite web |title=DeWitt Park Historic District |url=http://www.livingplaces.com/NY/Tompkins_County/Ithaca_City/DeWitt_Park_Historic_District.html |website=Living Places |publisher=The Gombach Group |accessdate=5 January 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="LivingPlaces">{{cite web |title=DeWitt Park Historic District |url=http://www.livingplaces.com/NY/Tompkins_County/Ithaca_City/DeWitt_Park_Historic_District.html |website=Living Places |publisher=The Gombach Group |access-date=5 January 2019}}</ref>
}}
}}
{{commons category|De Witt Park Historic District}}
{{Ithaca, New York|state=collapsed}}
{{Ithaca, New York|state=collapsed}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in New York}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in New York}}
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in Ithaca, New York]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Ithaca, New York]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Tompkins County, New York]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Tompkins County, New York]]


{{TompkinsCountyNY-NRHP-stub}}

Latest revision as of 20:12, 3 November 2024

De Witt Park Historic District
De Witt Park Historic District is located in New York
De Witt Park Historic District
De Witt Park Historic District is located in the United States
De Witt Park Historic District
Map
Interactive map showing the location of De Witt Park Historic District
LocationA square bounded roughly by properties fronting on E. Buffalo, E. Court, N. Cayuga, and N. Tioga Sts., Ithaca, New York
Coordinates42°26′30″N 76°29′53″W / 42.44167°N 76.49806°W / 42.44167; -76.49806
Area18 acres (7.3 ha)
Built1800
ArchitectMultiple
Architectural styleGreek Revival, Italianate, Romanesque
NRHP reference No.71000561[1]
Added to NRHPOctober 26, 1971

De Witt Park Historic District is a national historic district located at Ithaca in Tompkins County, New York. The district consists of 45 contributing buildings, one contributing site (De Witt Park, known as Town Square until 1869), and three contributing objects. It includes the area developed by the town's founder, Simon De Witt, in the early 19th century. The district includes the separately listed Boardman House and Second Tompkins County Courthouse.[2]

Background

[edit]

The district is a major crossroads in Ithaca, and contains a wide variety of architectural styles and cultural, social, educational, political and religious functions.[3]

Concern for preservation of the neighborhood was a motivating factor behind Ithaca's passage of a local Landmarks Preservation Ordinance in 1971.[4] Dewitt Park was Ithaca's first designated local historic district in 1971.[4] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the same year.[1]

DeWitt Park

[edit]

DeWitt Park is owned by the Presbyterian Church on North Cayuga Street.[5] The church congregation purchased the land from Simeon DeWitt on August 1, 1815, for the sum of $499.65.[5] The church specifically set the land aside for public enjoyment, rather than as a graveyard, which would have been more typical of the day.[5] In 1856 the church came to an agreement with the Village of Ithaca that the church would retain ownership of the park, while the village would be responsible for maintaining it.[5] For many years DeWitt Park was a meetings spot for student of the nearby Ithaca Conservatory (later Ithaca College),[5] located in the adjacent Boardman House

Frederick Douglass, prevented from speaking in any of the local churches or the Village Hall, twice delivered orations in the park.[5][6]

Following the murder of Shawn Greenwood by the Ithaca Police Department on Feb. 23 2010,[7] members of the Ithaca community have renamed DeWitt Park to Shawn Greenwood Park. The new name aims to remember Shawn Greenwood, an African-American man who grew up in Ithaca,[7] and end the recognition of Simeon De Witt, a former slave owner.[8]

Significant properties

[edit]
DeWitt Mall
First Presbyterian Church (1901)

Two later buildings, the Public Library and Ithaca Savings and Loan Association were designed in a style to be harmonious with the historical character of the neighborhood.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ Margaret Marriott (January 1971). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: De Witt Park Historic District". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Retrieved September 1, 2009. See also: "Accompanying 37 photos".
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "DeWitt Park Historic District". Living Places. The Gombach Group. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  4. ^ a b "50 for 50: The DeWitt Park Historic District". Historic Ithaca. Historic Ithaca. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Kammen, Carol (August 15, 2014). "Pieces of the Past: DeWitt Park serves as public space". Ithaca Journal. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  6. ^ Hovis, Kathy (October 31, 2017). "Class creates app highlighting Underground Railroad sites". Cornell Chronicle. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Murtagh, Joseph (March 2, 2011). "Community members remember Shawn Greenwood". Ithaca.com. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  8. ^ "Simeon De Witt". exhibitions.nysm.nysed.gov. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  9. ^ "Dewitt Mall Turns 100 Years Old". Ithaca.com. Retrieved January 5, 2019. it was completed one hundred years ago in 1915
  10. ^ "First Presbyterian Church". Pocket Sights. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
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