Attractions of Staten Island – IV

Staten Island is full of attractions, it's impossible for anyone to describe the places of attraction lying around Staten Island in few pages. This is our fourth article in order of an honest effort of highlighting the attractions of this wonderful place. This island is full of place of historical interest describe in previous posts, here we will have a glace of Conference House Park, and Fort Wadsworth, two historical heritage of United States.

Conference House Park – A Revolutionary History

Conference House Park is very famous in History of United States. In an effort to bring the Revolutionary War to an end, Admiral Lord Richard Howe from British Government and an American delegation of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Edward Rutledge met on Sept. 11, 1776. The site for this historic, but unsuccessful, treaty attempt was the Billopp Manor House on the southern tip of Staten Island and New York State.

Today, the Conference House is managed by the Conference house Association and is both a City and National Landmark. This Billopp House is the only pre-Revolutionary manor house surviving in New York City, is surrounded by a 267-acre park. The miles of trails and a pavilion that offers waterfront views of the estuary make it one of the most romantic sports of Staten Island. Seasonal events include re-enactments, family festivals, art shows, performances and holiday events.

Fort Wadsworth – One of the Oldest Military Sites in the United States

Built along the high ground by the Verrazano Bridge is Fort Wadsworth, a formidable structure that has guarded New York City for more than 200 years. Fort Wadsworth harkens back to an era when New York harbor was protected by military bases. An enemy entering the narrows would be caught in cross fire between Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island and Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn. During the war of 1812, Fort Wadsworth was crucial in protecting New York harbor from the British. During the Civil War the site was reinforced and made into the fortress that stands today. When it closed in 1994, Fort Wadsworth has been the longest active military site in the U.S. Today it is managed by the national parks Service and is open to the public as part of the Gateway National Recreational Area.

Visitors are welcome to tour Fort Wadsworth and see New York harbor from the perspective of the countless soldiers who helped to protect it. Informative tours led by Park rangers are available and the Visitor Centre features interactive exhibits and a map of the New York State harbor forts.

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