In the upper reaches of Manhattan’s Riverside Park stands a monument honoring the soldiers and sailors of the Union Army. These brave individuals served devotedly during the Civil War, the bloodiest conflict in US history. The monument symbolizes the nation’s gratitude to the heroes who saved it during its greatest crisis. Read on to learn more, exclusively from manhattanyes.
A Brief Look at the War
The Civil War raged from April 1861 to May 1865, pitting the Confederacy (Southern states) against the Union (Northern states). The Confederacy rebelled against the Union for economic and political reasons, primarily their reliance on slavery. The conflict ended with the Confederate defeat, leaving approximately 658,000 dead and another 420,000 wounded.
While the war didn’t solve every problem, it did resolve some critical disputes. Notably, the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified on December 18, 1865, officially abolished slavery. The country also saw accelerated growth in industrial and agricultural production, the development of western lands, and a strengthened domestic market.
A Tribute to the Victors
The temple-like monument in Manhattan commemorates New York soldiers and sailors who served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Roughly 370,000 New Yorkers fought for the Union—that’s one out of every five men in the state! Of these, 130,000 were foreign-born, and 4,125 were free Black Americans. During the fighting, 534 officers and 12,142 enlisted men from the state were killed. Another 7,235 soldiers died from combat wounds, and a staggering 27,855 succumbed to diseases that rapidly spread through the military.
At the top of the monument’s southern stairs, at the base of its elevated terrace, are carved the names of New York volunteer regiments and the battles they fought in, along with the names of Union generals.
Inspired by Greek Antiquity
Manhattan’s Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument stands approximately 100 feet tall. Its white marble cylinder, adorned with twelve Corinthian columns, is topped with rich carved ornamentation featuring eagles and cartouches. The interior is fully clad in the same white marble as the exterior. Inside, on the floor, you’ll find a star at the center of a bronze relief medallion depicting the Great Seal of the United States. The monument’s design was inspired by the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens. Drawing from Greek antiquity, the Manhattan memorial takes the form of a peripteral Corinthian temple rising on an elevated base.
The idea for the monument first emerged in 1869, but the project was delayed for several years as the city and stakeholders couldn’t agree on a location. Construction finally began in 1900 and lasted two years. Interestingly, wealthy widow Elizabeth Clark, who lived in a magnificent colonial mansion across Riverside Drive, disapproved of the monument’s construction. In court, she argued that the structure would “obstruct the flow of light and air and impede the view,” and that it was “unattractive and unartistic.” However, Clark lost the case in mid-1900, and work continued.
The monument cost the city $300,000, using granite quarried from Lacasse, Vermont. Before World War I, the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument became part of a series of classical monuments rising at the edge of Riverside Drive against the pastoral landscape of Riverside Park and the river beyond.
Significant changes occurred in the 1930s when the yellow bricks of the plaza, which contrasted with the monument’s white marble trim, were replaced with orange-colored stone. The memorial was also completely covered in paraffin for protection. In 1962, city authorities spent over $1 million on extensive renovations to the monument, including the installation of a new top section and the replacement of some granite.
In 1976, the monument was designated a New York City Landmark, and in 2001, a New York State Landmark. Over time, the memorial, its ceremonial stairs, and adjacent terraces suffered severe erosion and deterioration due to weathering, as well as additional damage from vandals. A 2017 study revealed that the cost of a full restoration at that time would be at least $36.5 million. It was found that the structure was in near-catastrophic disrepair and that there was an urgent need to stabilize the surrounding hillside, embankments, and ceremonial plaza.
The restoration project gained support from numerous city officials, including Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, and Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. The structure was fenced off and closed to visitors as its retaining wall gradually crumbled. In 2024, Mayor Eric Adams allocated $62 million for the restoration, and work commenced.
Incidentally, Riverside Park, where the monument stands, is a picturesque public waterfront space. It was established in 1872 through land condemnation and developed concurrently with Riverside Drive. Riverside Park is part of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, a pedestrian and bicycle route around Manhattan’s waterfront. The central part of the park, encompassing both the hillside and the plateau above the Freedom Tunnel, contains most of the green spaces. The park boasts 9 baseball fields, 5 basketball courts, 7 handball courts, 20 tennis courts, 6 soccer fields, and several volleyball courts.
Ceremonies and Screen Appearances
The monument grounds serve as the endpoint for Memorial Day celebrations—a US national holiday observed annually on the last Monday of May. This day honors American service members who died in all wars and armed conflicts in which the US participated. The turnout and interest in Memorial Day celebrations at this monument have always varied greatly. For instance, in 1907, 16,000 men marched in a parade, while in 1910, only 1,500 appeared. In 1911, 20,000 men and 150 organizations participated in the parade, after which attendance gradually decreased. It significantly increased after the September 11, 2001 attacks. New Yorkers, as well as local leaders, veterans, and members of the armed forces, visit this site annually.
Since 2004, the Hudson Classical Theatre Company has performed classical plays on the monument’s steps during the summer months. Some are adaptations of Shakespeare’s works, while others are original productions. Many people eagerly gather to witness these open-air theatrical performances.
Beyond Memorial Day celebrations and plays, the monument is a popular location for filmmakers. For example, it can be seen in films like The Odd Couple, Godspell, and Parting Glances. Additionally, the monument has appeared in TV series such as Law & Order and Sex and the City.
Overall, the memorial in Riverside Park is a vital piece of history. It honors the memory of all those who stood up to defend the Northern states and paid the ultimate price—their own lives. The memorial serves as a powerful reminder of their courage and sacrifice.