Before the Dutch, Washington Square had been a tobacco field, fertilized by Minetta creek running through it. (Our tour of Washington Square will show you where.) Then in 1633, Wooter van Twiller became the second Dutch governor of New Amsterdam, and Washington Square was part of his farm.

Seventh Regiment on Review - Washington Square - 1851

In the 18th century, this land became a cemetery, home to some 22,000 graves by 1826 when it was converted to the parade ground seen below. The New York 7th was the upper class regiment for the scions of wealthy New Yorkers. And Washington Square at the time of this painting (1851) had become the most exclusive neighborhood in Manhattan. New York Society would come out to admire their sons and husbands drill in full dress. (Notice the audience on the green.) Every so often, however, a horse or cannon would break through the surface into the coffin of cholera victim wrapped in a yellow sheet, and everyone would scatter.

This view faces East towards University Place. At far left is the original building for the University of the City of New York - now NYU; right of that is the Dutch Reformed Church.