Monsignor McGolrick Park Shelter Pavilion & Monuments

McGolrick Park Shelter Pavilion

Shelter Pavilion Wood Ceiling

The land (approximately 10 acres) for what is now Monsignor McGolrick Park was purchased in 1889 for $132,825. The park was originally named Winthrop Park and owed its name to Assemblyman Winthrop Jones who helped obtain the funds to purchase the land. In 1941 the park's name was changed to honor Father McGolrick who was a pastor at St. Cecilia's, as well as a community leader.[1] McGolrick Park's focal point is the shelter pavilion (1910), which is built of brick, limestone and wood. The shelter pavilion was designed by Helmle & Huberty, the same architecture firm that was commissioned to design the Greenpoint Savings Bank.[2] The pavilion's design, although not as large or ostentatious, was based on the Trianon at Versailles.[3] In 1980 the shelter pavilion was added to the National Register of HistoricPlaces and has been recognized as a New York City Landmark since 1966. 

WWI Memorial

"The Monitor and the Merrimac"

Along the central axis of the shelter pavilion are two monuments, the World War I memorial (1923) and "The Monitor and the Merrimac" (1939). Designed by Carl Augustus Herber, the World War One Memorial sculpture was built to honor the 150 soldiers from Greenpoint who fought in WWI. "The Monitor and the Merrimac" monument was designed by sculptor Antonio de Filippo and was built to honor the Monitor's designer, John Ericsson, as well as commemorate the battle between the first two iron clad war ships, the USS Monitor and the USS Merrimac (CSS Virginia). The monuments, as well as the shelter pavilion were restored in 1985.[1]

Launch of the USS Monitor

The USS Monitor was built and launched on the banks of Bushwick Inlet adjacent to the East River in Greenpoint.

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References:

1. "Monsignor McGolrick Park" New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Online.
2. White, Norval, Willensky, Elliot, and Leadon, Fran AIA Guide to New York. Oxford University Press, 2010.
3. Freudenheim, Ellen and Weiner, Daniel P. Brooklyn Where To Go, What To Do, How To Get There. St. Martin's Press, 1991.