Saturday, August 7, 2021
VAN CORTLANDT PARK
— more than a thousand acres atop the ridges and valleys of the northwest Bronx — is New York City's third largest park. Playing fields and playgrounds are scattered about the park's edges, surrounding a richly forested heartland fed by Tibbets Brook. The park is home to the country's first public golf course, the oldest house in the Bronx, and the borough's largest freshwater lake.
THE HISTORY
Van Cortlandt House is the centerpiece of a 1,000-acre urban park that encompasses what was once the Van Cortlandt family’s plantation. Merchant Jacobus Van Cortlandt began purchasing land in The Bronx in 1694. Gradually, with the work of enslaved people, he developed the property into a wheat plantation with extensive milling operations. Jacobus’ son Frederick inherited the estate and commissioned the present house in 1748. The house was built in the Georgian style out of native fieldstone, and its elegant interior speaks to the family’s wealth and refinement.
During the Revolutionary War, the house’s location between Broadway and the Albany Post Road gave it a strategic position in the conflict. The house and plantation were occupied by Colonial and British armies in turn. General George Washington is known to have stayed in the house at least twice, as did British General Sir William Howe.
Van Cortlandt descendants lived in the house until 1886, when they sold the entire estate to the City of New York to create Van Cortlandt Park. Their former home is now known as the Van Cortlandt House Museum.
When: At 10 AM. The Museum grounds open at 10:45, the Museum itself at 11:00. We’ll meet and warm up by the Museum. (see map below)
Lunch: 12:30 PM “Bringyourowni” Bring your own or purchase lunch from the vendors and stores on Broadway.
Afternoon: 1:30 More sketching. We’ll be exploring the views by the lake (see map below)
Show and Tell: 3 PM. Location to be determined.
DIRECTIONS:
- Take the IRT 1 train to the last stop – 242nd Street- Exit the station on the east (Park) side- Continue walking north on Broadway (with the park to your right)- Go past Burger King- Go in the main entrance to the right; it is well-signed- Proceed along the path to the Van Cortlandt House MuseumTotal walking time less than 10 minutes
Driving by Car –
Driving directions from NORTHBOUND on I-87 (Major Deegan Expressway)
- Exit 11 Van Cortland Park South
- Where the exit ramp forks, STAY LEFT
- At the STOP sign, make a VERY sharp left turn
- Proceed underneath I-87
- The first left turn feeds into the free parking lot
- See walking directions from the parking lot - below
SOUTHBOUND on I-87 (Major Deegan Expressway)
- Exit 11 Van Cortlandt Park South
- At traffic light at top of ramp, turn left (onto Van Cortlandt Park South)
- At the next traffic light, turn left into the park
- Stay to the left, to proceed under I-87
- The first left turn feeds into the free parking lot
- See walking directions from the parking lot - below
From the Henry Hudson Parkway (either direction)
- Exit 24 to Mosholu Parkway
- Exit to I-87 Southbound, which will put you onto the Major Deegan Expressway
- Exit 11 Van Cortlandt Park South
- At traffic light at top of ramp, turn left (onto Van Cortlandt Park South)
- At the next traffic light, turn left into the park
- Stay to the left, to proceed under I-87
- The first left turn feeds into the free parking lot
- See walking directions from the parking lot - below
Walking directions to the VC House Museum:
- Walk out of parking lot, take the path that goes to left, down under the old rail tracks
- On other side of the tracks, turn right onto a platform path through the wetland
- Continue straight up the path to the top of the hill
- At top of hill, turn left to arrive at entrance to Van Cortlandt House Museum
Total walking time less than 10 minutes
NOTES:
- Bring a stool or a portable chair if you have one. It gives you many sketching opportunities. If you don't already have a stool, ask some of the sketchers to try their seating solutions so you can determine the best one for your needs.
(click to enlarge)
If you can’t find us
call or text Mark at 973-809-9128
There are no fees. All drawing skill levels are welcome.
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