I had Jury Duty a couple of weeks ago in downtown Manhattan. Because the courthouse complex (Foley Square) was so historically and architecturally interesting, I thought I’d meander to the area to do some exploring on a day off. You’ll have to click on each photo to see the details better (one of the limitations of Blogger).
Here are a couple of buildings in the area:
Can’t imagine anyone would think they’d get away with much crime in this area:
60 Centre Street, the courthouse where I had jury duty:
Such impressive architecture in this area:
I really should learn this area of the city better. I have no idea what this building is but it’s near City Hall:
Peek at the Brooklyn Bridge:
I walked around the area some more and came upon St. Paul’s Church and its very old cemetery:
This is about as close to Ground Zero as I’ll go, my friends. It’s still too disturbing for me to visit the site. I’d gone a couple of times before with a companion but didn’t like going at all. I didn’t realize how close I was to it as I walked the grounds of St. Paul’s Church:
Walking on, I came across this interesting sculpture:
I soon approached Trinity Church. I only associate Trinity Church with two events in my life; standing in front of it while I watched the Yankees parade by after their World Series win in 1998 and how it was a refuge during and after 9/11:
The churchyard holds amazingly old gravestones/graves:
Ooh, you cheeky devil! My, how you seem to be posing for me:
Bye bye:
Walking further south, I reach The US Custom House which now houses the National Museum of the American Indian at Bowling Green:
I crossed the street and entered Battery Park. Lots of vendors lining the walkway selling the typical tourist fare. I headed to The Sphere sculpture further in. This statue, designed by Fritz Koenig, used to sit at the plaza at the World Trade Center, in between the Twin Towers. It was damaged during the destruction of the towers but remarkably kept its overall shape. Symbolic indeed. The sculpture was moved to the park and an eternal flame placed before it in remembrance of the events and victims of 9/11. I definitely see Atlas holding the earth on his shoulders in this statue. Do you see that as well?:
Heading closer to the water’s edge, I discover Castle Clinton, one of our forts! How sad that I’ve lived in NYC for 20 years but hardly know anything about this city’s military history:
I had the good luck of being by the flag when a Parks worker lowered and removed the flag for the day. I caught the whole scene on video but accidentally deleted the footage. Grr! New camera. Not yet fully-familiar with it:
Leaving Castle Clinton:
NYPD Protecting and Serving:
Meandering back north again, I wind up in the financial district (I really do need to memorize this ‘ancient’ area of Manhattan). I came upon two canine officers and their dogs. I approached them asking if I could take their photo (I’m a big K-9 supporter). One of the officers said no, not him but I could photograph his dog. Here’s the sweetie:
I asked how I could donate to NYPD’s K-9 unit and he said there really isn’t a forum for that as it’s federally-funded through Homeland Security. I asked what organization he recommended (I currently donate to a K-9 unit in Ohio so this is a personal interest of mine). He suggested Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a training school for service dogs for the visually-impaired. Here’s their link! https://www.guidingeyes.org/
I chatted with the officers for a couple of minutes more then continued on.
This is a very important monument. This sculpture marks where George Washington took the oath of office as our first president!:
Huh? What’s all this about?:
Back in my neighborhood, I took this photo of this cute little Fix It Again Tony on Chrystie & Rivington:
Hope you enjoyed my walk!