Washington Square Arch

The Washington Square Arch began as a humble, temporary structure built of wood and plaster. In 1889, residents of the neighborhood funded this initial version to celebrate the centennial of George Washington's inauguration as the first president of the United States. It was erected just north of the park, spanning Fifth Avenue, and proved so popular with the public that a citizens committee immediately organized to raise funds for a permanent, marble replacement. Architect Stanford White took on the design, modeling it after the classical triumphal arches of Rome, and the white Tuckahoe marble monument you see today was officially dedicated in 1895.