About The Landmark
In the center of Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn is the Stanford White designed monument to the Prison Ship Martyrs of the American Revolution. Dedicated in 1908, this soaring Doric column honors the 11,500 patriots who died on British prison ships in nearby Wallabout Bay during America’s fight for independence. The monument stands as a vivid reminder of their sacrifice.
To learn more, you can visit the park and explore its nature center that contains detailed information about the war, the monument, and the history of the site.
Plan Your Visit to Fort Greene Park – fortgreenepark.org
Fort Greene Park, originally called Washington Park, is Brooklyn’s first public park. The land was used as a defensive location during the Revolutionary War, and was the site of Fort Putnam. In the early 1800s the fort was rebuilt and renamed for Major Nathaniel Greene who oversaw the construction of the original fort and served as General George Washington’s most relied on officer as both Quartermaster General and later Commander of the Southern Forces.
For many years, the park suffered a period of neglect and decline, but was restored in 2006. The Fort Greene Park Conservancy, working with volunteers and the Parks Department, runs a visitor’s center that features a variety of programs. The National Parks Service is currently reviewing a request to name the memorial as a National Monument.
