A great LINK to info on the park from Google Answers
A Brief history of Washington Square Park:
In 1797 the Common Council acquired the land for use as a Potter’s Field or common burial ground. The field was also used for public executions, giving rise to the tale of the Hangman’s Elm which stands in the northwest corner of the park.
The site was used as the Washington Military Parade Ground in 1826, and became a public park in 1827. Following this designation, a number of wealthy and prominent families, escaping the disease and congestion of downtown Manhattan, moved into the area and built the distinguished Greek Revival mansions that still line the square’s north side.
Notable events in 1797:
Mary Shelley is Born.
John Adams succeeds George Washington as President of the US
The storyline of the video game, Castlevania, takes place in 1797.
A few resources and links for library research in NYC
http://www.bobcat.nyu.edu/WebZ/html/bookmarkfull.html?sessionid=01-45522-612105667
http://www.nyc.gov/html/records/html/collections.html
http://www.nyhistory.org
https://www.nyhistory.org/web/
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