4. Bowling Green Fence

Tourgoers touching the top of Bowling Green Fence, a remnant of colonial NYC

New York City’s oldest park also boasts the city’s oldest fence. Throughout its over 400-year history, Bowling Green has served as council grounds for Native American tribes, a parade field, a cattle market, and an actual bowling green for lawn bowling. The fence around the park was erected in 1771 when New York was under British rule. The centerpiece of the park was a statue of King George III.

As the Revolution drew near, the park became a popular site for anti-English protests. The fence still bears the marks of one notable revolutionary act. The fence posts were originally topped with crowns that were defiantly sawed off by revolutionists. The revolutionists also took down the statue of King George III and melted it into bullets. You can rub your hands along the tops of the fence posts today to feel the jagged cuts. Find out where in New York City you can see pieces of the King George II statue here!