Port
New York, New York, US
Activity Level
Moderate
Excursion Type
All
Wheelchair Accessible
No
Starting At
$190
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
Duration
Approximately 1½ Hours
Meals Included
Meals not included
Central Park is one of New York's best-loved places to visit. A huge swathe of green covering more than 340 hectares, it's known as the lungs of New York. But before the construction of Central Park in 1858, a seven-block section along the western fringe of the park was home to Seneca Village -- an African American enclave that provided its residents an opportunity to become property owners and build a new community.
Documentation from the time shows it was an educated, middle-class community. While many of the residents were African American, the village also had a substantial population of Irish and German immigrants. This mix of residents made it a unique example of an integrated community, especially for its time, and the village boasted churches and a school.
When the City acquired the land for Central Park, the residents of Seneca Village were displaced and forgotten. In the 1990s, historians rediscovered the village, leading to an ongoing project to uncover the history of this extraordinary place.
Visit the former site of Seneca Village with your National Geographic-trained guide, who will share the stories of the people who once created a community here. You will see the site of the Central Park archaeological digs uncovering this little-known history.
Notes:
This is predominantly a walking tour. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Based on our commitment to sustainable tourism, this National Geographic Day Tour is certified against the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria. A portion of the proceeds from this National Geographic Day Tour will go back to the National Geographic Society to fund research and sustainable programs around the world.