Arts Tour Guide Page 3
13. Alice in Wonderland
Probably the park's most beloved sculpture, it is a depiction in bronze of a group of our favorite characters from Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Perched stage center upon an enormous mushroom, Alice holds court. Grouped around her are the other unlikely invitees to the party. They include: The Mad Hatter (rumored to be a caricature of the patron that sponsored the piece), The March Hare, The Cheshire Cat, The White Rabbit, Alice's Cat Dinah and, of course, the bashful Dormouse.
14. The Obelisk
Probably the strangest monument in Central Park is the 71 foot, 244 ton Obelisk, or Cleopatra's Needle. The obelisk was erected in Heliopolis around 1500 BC and was moved to Alexandria around 12 B.C. by Rome's Augustus Caesar, there it remained until 1879 when it was shipped to the United States.
15. Belvedere Castle
Belvedere Castle sits high atop Vista Rock (the second highest natural elevation in the park) and provides a panoramic view in almost every direction. It is also perhaps the most magical monument in Central Park, one that combines function, form and romance - all in one convenient, central location. It was originally designed in 1865 by Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould as a Victorian “Folly” (A fantasy building) that would provide an overlook to the scenic splendors around it. The views include the Delacorte Theater, home to the very popular Shakespeare in the Park series, the newly-restored, 55-acre Great Lawn and Turtle Pond.
16. The Swedish Cottage
For over fifty years, puppeteers have been bringing to life magical tales of princesses, paupers, genies, and giants to hundreds of youngsters and their parents at Central Park's Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater. The Marionette Theater originated as a 19th century schoolhouse designed for the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia as an example of Swedish building design. At the end of the exposition, the NYC Parks Department purchased the schoolhouse for $1,500 and moved it to its present site.
17. Strawberry Fields
Strawberry Fields opened on October 9, 1985, slain ex-Beatle John lennon's 45th birthday. Every October 9th since then has seen an all day vigil of people of all ages from around the world; fans of his music and believers in his vision. Strawberry Fields was dedicated by Mayor Edward I. Koch, October 9, 1985, John Lennon's birthday.
18. Cherry Hill
Cherry Hill, gets its name from the cherry trees that ring the hill and brighten the landscape each spring. Overlooking Bow Bridge, the Ramble and the eastern end of the Lake Cherry Hill offers one of the most picturesque vistas in all of Central Park (and another great photo opportunity). A great gathering place during the 19th century for equine park-goers (the fountain doubled as a trough) you can still find horse-drawn carriages lined up at any time of day taking in the view.
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