Castle Clinton

Prediction:

• I predict that I’ll learn about the changing role of the Castle Clinton in New York City’s history. 

At Castle Clinton:

Infront of a diarama of how the "Castle"
looked in the 1800s 

Castle Clinton, like the Collect Pond Park, is another representation of how NYC and it's use of space has evolved over the course of its history.  Saved from demolition in 1946 the “Castle” is today a National Monument.  Over time, it has served New York as a defensive fort (1811-22), an opera house and convention center (1824-54), an immigration center (1855-1890), and an aquarium (1896-1941).  The changing purpose of the “Castle” mirrored trends in greater American society.  The fort was developed to protect the city after the Revolution where the British easily invaded and controlled it for the duration of the War. As immigration grew with industrialization in the last three quarters of the 19^th century, a control center was necessary.  The "Castle's" literature boasts that two out of three immigrants coming to the U.S. at that time came through it. Until the 1890s, immigration was state controlled.  It was then that Ellis Island was created and the Feds took over.  With increasing interest in science at the end of the 19^th century, the “Castle” transitioned to an Aquarium.  It took advocacy from a group of historic preservationists to save the building and restoration on it begin in 1970.  Altogether, Castle Clinton is not an overly interesting site, but like most other sites I visited in NY, I’m sure that with some digging there is greater substance to chew on. 

Commentary on Immigration through Castle Clinton:  One of the more interesting things on hand at the museum.