Central Park is one of NYC's best loved places to visit. A huge swathe of green covering more than 340 hectares, it's known as the lungs of New York. But before the construction of Central Park in 1858, a seven-block section along the western fringe of the park was home to Seneca Village, an African American enclave which provided its residents an escape from unhealthy conditions and pervasive racism experienced in Lower Manhattan, as well as an opportunity to become property owners and build a new community.
Newspaper reports that favored the creation of the park referred to Seneca Village as a place of shanties and shacks, but archaeological evidence and documentation from the time shows it was an educated, middle-class community. While the majority of the residents were African American, the village also had a substantial population of Irish and German immigrants. This mix of residents made it a unique example of an integrated community, especially for its time, and the Village boasted churches and a school.
When the City acquired the land for Central Park through the process of ‘eminent domain,’ the residents of Seneca Village were displaced and forgotten. In the 1990s, historians rediscovered the Village, leading to an ongoing project to uncover the history of this extraordinary place.
Visit the former site of Seneca Village with your National Geographic-trained guide who will share the stories of the people who once created a community here and see the site of the archaeological digs in Central Park, uncovering this little-known history.
Nat Geo Day Tour: The Untold Story of Central Park
- Discover the history of Central Park with a National Geographic-trained guide specializing in African American history, on a walking tour focusing on the Seneca Village area
- Learn about the people that lived within one of New York's biggest communities of African Americans
- Examine the creation of Central Park from the concept and design to the implementation
- See the site of the archaeological digs in Central Park, uncovering this little-known history
Guided tour
Guided tour
All meals
All meals
Central Park West & 85th St, New York, NY
Know in advance:
- terrain type is flat
- suitable for wheelchair users and people who struggle to walk distances
- walking distance is approx. 3km
- the tour will be walking the whole time with limited time to sit or rest
- activity level is light
- this tour can host a min. of 6 and a max. of 25 people
What people say about this experience
At the moment there are no reviews for this experience.
You might also like
Nat Geo Day Tour: Sapori e racconti del Little Caribbean di Brooklyn
Scopri i "Piccoli Caraibi" di Brooklyn, un vivace centro della cultura delle Indie occidentali nel cuore di New York. Unisciti a una guida locale, assapora i sapori dell'isola, incontra la comunità e sperimenta una gemma nascosta di New York.
en
Nat Geo Day Tour: La storia non raccontata di Central Park
Esplora il Seneca Village, una comunità afroamericana pre-Central Park che venne spostata per la costruzione del parco. Riscoperto negli anni '90, approfondisci la storia unica del posto con la guida.
en
Tour in autobus delle attrazioni di Gossip Girl
Prenota oggi il tuo tour in autobus per le attrazioni di Gossip Girl e visita le iconiche location delle riprese della serie televisiva.
en
Tour in autobus dei luoghi più gettonati di Sex and the City
Prenota subito il tuo tour dei luoghi più gettonati di Sex and the City e segui le orme di Carrie Bradshaw e soci in giro per Manhattan.
en
Tour in autobus televisivo e cinematografico di New York City
Prenota oggi il tuo tour in autobus per la TV e il cinema di New York e visita i siti famosi sia dal grande che dal piccolo schermo!
en
Crociera panoramica alla scoperta del meglio di New York
Prenota la crociera "Best of New York City" e goditi le migliori attrazioni di New York City comodamente da una barca all'avanguardia!
en
Prenota oggi stesso la tua crociera con Harbor Lights e salpa lungo il fiume Hudson, ammirando e ammirando le luci della città che non dorme mai!
en
Crociera intorno alla Statua della Libertà
Acquista la tua crociera intorno a Liberty Island insieme ad una guida professionista e ascolta le storie su Ellis Island e il One World Trade Center!
en
Il giro in motoscafo BEAST a New York
Acquista i tuoi biglietti per il giro in motoscafo BEAST e vivi l'attrazione in barca più veloce di New York!
en
Biglietti per il Memoriale e Museo dell'11 settembre
Prenota i tuoi biglietti per il 9-11 Memorial and Museum e visita il sito dell'ex World Trade Center e saperne di più su quel giorno fatidico.