Washington Square Fountain

The fountain at the center of Washington Square Park sits on land that was once a public burial ground. Before the park became a gathering place, thousands of people, including victims of yellow fever, were laid to rest in what was then a potter's field. Archaeologists have even unearthed headstones from the late eighteenth century while working beneath these lawns. Today, the water recirculates through a filtration system that manages over thirty thousand gallons, keeping the site clear for the thousands of people who visit each day.