6. Samuel Morse Gave First Public Demonstration of the Telegraph in Washington Square Park
New York University used to be located in the stately townhouses along Washington Square Park and in 1838, Samuel F.B. Morse, who was a professor of art at the university, gave the public its first demonstration of the telegraph in in 22 Washington Square, where he lived. It was in this studio that he perfected the telegraph, a project he poured himself into after the disappointment of his painting career. Winslow Homer also painted off the roof of 22 Washington Square, while Edward Hopper had a studio at 3 Washington Square, which can be still visited today.
