7. Whispering Column of Jerash Flushing Meadows Corona Park

This final entry does not have the acoustic aspects of a whispering gallery, but was once part of one. The Whispering Column of Jerash, that dates to 120 A.D. at Flushing-Meadows Corona Park is considered to be the second oldest antiquity monument. The oldest is Cleopatra’s Needle in Central Park. The Whispering Column of Jerash was once part of the Temple of Artemis, a Roman temple in Jordan. It was known to have the qualities of a whispering gallery. As the New York Public Library writes, “When you stand in the middle of the temple and whisper, the sound of your voice reverberates.” The 30 foot column was presented to the City of New York for the 1964 World’s Fair by the King of Jordan and received by Robert Moses.

Many other buildings have whispering galleries and benches – it just requires a certain acoustical design. What other places have you found? We’ll add them to this list!

Next, check out 10 of NYC’s Most Unique Benches and discover the Top 10 Secrets of Flushing-Meadows Corona Park.