One of the first places I visited when I began researching
this book was the Arsenal in Central Park . It
resembles a medieval castle and fits in perfectly nestled up against 5th Ave. Central Park . Built between 1847 and
1851, the Arsenal is the second oldest building in Central
Park , the first is Block House built in 1812. The Arsenal has been
a munitions depot, a museum, a police precinct and even a makeshift zoo at one
point! The building was taken over by Robert Moses in 1934 and currently houses the office of the Parks Commissioner and a exhibition gallery on the third floor.
The day I went, I was taken back by the beauty of the
entrance hall not to mention the little carousel horse I discovered in a back
stairwell while making copies. It sat by a window overlooking the Central Park
Zoo. This is not the best photo, but it gives you idea of the charm of this piece and its location.
Visit the Parks Department website http://www.nycgovparks.org/about/history/the-arsenal
for a more detailed history of this beautiful building.
