Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn in Kings County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Inspiratio per exemplum – Inspiration through example
Inscription.
The garden honors the legacy of Italian-American John N. Lacorte (1910-1991)
John Lacorte championed awareness of the positive achievements of Italians and Italian-Americans. His efforts led to the establishment of the Italian Historical Society of America (1949) whose mission is to perpetuate the names of those of Italian heritage who have contributed to the advancement of mankind.
Among these individuals was Giovanni Da Verrazano (1480-1528) the first European to sail through these Narrows to discover Upper New York Bay and the Hudson River in 1524, eighty-five years prior to Henry Hudson’s arrival. The dedicated effort of John Lacorte led to the naming of this magnificent bridge after the great Italian explorer.
Throughout his life John Lacorte was guided by the principle “inspiratio per exemplum,” which became the motto of the Italian Historical Society of America
The Verrazano medallion, the work of artist Albino Manca (1898-1976), was originally commissioned to commemorate the 1964 dedication of the Verrazano-Narrows bridge. Vandalized and lost for many years, the restored medallion has been incorporated into this commemorative garden.
Erected 2003 by The Italian Historical Society of America.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration.
Location. 40° 36.633′ N, 74° 2.101′ W. Marker is in Brooklyn, New York, in Kings County. It is in Fort Hamilton. It can be reached from 4th Avenue near near 101st Street. in Bay Ridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brooklyn NY 11209, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City and on Long Island. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Dover Patrol (about 400 feet away, measured

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 18, 2025
2. Inspiratio per exemplum – Inspiration through example Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Denyse’s Ferry – Gravesend Bay (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. The marker is along a path in John Paul Jones Park.
Also see . . . The John N. LaCorte Story. "Italian Historical Society of America" biography. (Submitted on April 15, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 742 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 28, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 2. submitted on January 22, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on September 28, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on April 15, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.


