The Marquis de La Fayette, better known in the United States as Lafayette, was a French aristocrat and military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War. He commanded American troops in several battles, including the siege of Yorktown. As such, he has numerous and notable monuments located throughout the United States. However, the statue and space that define Lafayette Square in New York City, New York, don’t utilize this legacy in the same manner as others, hinting at the incredible potential that it possesses to be a true landmark for the region.
Considered part of Morningside Park, the City of New York acquired what is now Lafayette Square by condemnation in 1870. The square contains large, shady sycamore trees as well as the Lafayette and Washington sculpture. The sculpture was installed within the triangle bounded by Manhattan Avenue, Morningside Avenue and 114th Street in 1900.
The sculpture commemorates the alliance between the U.S. and France during the American Revolutionary War. It is an exact replica of a statue in the Place des États-Unis in Paris. Created by Frédéric Bartholdi, the replica was purchased by Charles Broadway Rouss and subsequently donated to the people of New York City for placement in Morningside Park.
The Lafayette and Washington sculpture defines Lafayette Square in an obvious way but the limitation of the space and the impact it has been able to elicit are evident. Other spaces across the United States that are called “Lafayette Square” are far larger with many more monuments and green space, underscoring the limitations of the New York City Lafayette Square.
As a literal part of Morningside Park, Lafayette Square has the potential to use the history and legacy that is represented by the Lafayette and Washington sculpture to an even greater advantage. This definition could enable the space to connect with the community and attract attention from across the region. Utilizing this potential could redefine the space and community in a way that creates positive impact for everyone.
