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| A photograph of the 1908 unveiling ceremony in Fort Greene Park. |
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| The squalid conditions aboard the HMS Jersey |
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| The Prison Ship Jersey |
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| The original Monument in Vinegar Hill. |
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| An early postcard of the initial monument and crypt in Fort Greene Park. |
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| A period postcard of the 1908 monument. |
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ABOUT US:
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| About the Centennial Commitee |
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 o plan for the one hundredth anniversary of the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument dedication, the Fort Greene Park Conservancy created the Prison Ship Martyrs Memorial Centennial Celebration Committee. Leading the effort.
is former Conservancy Chair, Ruth Goldstein.
The Prison Ship Martyrs Monument honors the remains of 11,500 Americans and volunteers from other countries who are buried in a crypt below. These Revolutionary War deaths occurred under horrid conditions on prison ships anchored in what later became the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Later, the deaths were recognized by the British as war atrocities, and a trial in London led to the execution of the British commanding officer.
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he monument was dedicated in November 1908 by President-elect, William Howard Taft, who was joined by 20,000 people in pouring rain. Design of the huge Doric column was the last work of the famous New York architect Stanford White. At the time it was said to be the largest Doric column in the world. An important feature of the November 2008 anniversary will be honoring the Prison Ship Martyrs from other countries. Citizen in participating nations today are quite aware of the sacrifices of their people during the American Revolution. This is case in modern Spain, where in 1976, one of the first acts of the present Spanish king Juan Carlos, was to dedicate a plaque in Fort Greene Park to the memory of 126 Spanish nationals who died on the British prison ships.
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About the Fort Greene Park Conservancy
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| Fort Greene Park, located in the landmark neighborhood of Fort Greene, is a significant historic park. Although actively used by the community, it is in desperate need of repair and restoration. The Fort Greene Park Conservancy is leading the effort for a full renewal of the landmark park.
As a first step, the park needs an overall plan for the restoration of the infrastructure, green spaces, and historic structures. Second, the plan must be funded and implemented. It is estimated that the cost of the full restoration of the park – including the monument, recreational areas, infrastructure, and landscaping – will be $30 to $50 million.
A portion of these funds has been promised by the City of New York. They recently allocated $3.5 million for the first phase of the restoration project: the rennovation of the monument, bronze urn and the crypt. It is hoped that private citizens, businesses, civic organizations, public-minded corporations and foundations will also join in this effort.
The Fort Greene Park Conservancy is the primary advocate for this cause. We work closely with the many diverse users of the park, such as young families with children, the dog owner's group (PUPS), neighboring schools and visitors.
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The mission of the Fort Greene Park Conservancy is to improve the park for the enjoyment of present and future generations. We hope you will join us in this noble and necessary effort to give this wonderful public space the care it deserves. Help us make Fort Greene Park the crown jewel of Brooklyn's parks.
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| The Conservancy sponsors the very popular Halloween Festival in the fall, a film series in the summer, "It's My Park! Day" clean-up days, concerts and other park events. Our primary goal is to make sure that park provides the most rewarding experience for the many diverse people who come to enjoy the park. Please join us to help realize our goal. |
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