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THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Civic Center in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

The Rotunda

 
 
The Rotunda Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 10, 2011
1. The Rotunda Marker
Inscription.
A small domed Roman-style building named the Rotunda stood on this site 1813-1870. It was the city’s first art museum and was erected to display panoramas painted by the artist, John Vanderlyn. At times the structure housed a Post Office, courts and various city agencies.
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On November 5, 1852, in the offices of the Croton Aqueduct Department, the American Society of Civil Engineers was founded. The Society is the oldest National Association of Engineers in the United States.
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the ASCE Civil Engineering Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 5, 1852.
 
Location. 40° 42.784′ N, 74° 0.288′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Civic Center. It is on Centre Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is in the northeast corner of City Hall Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10279, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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: Horace Greeley (a few steps from this marker); Joseph Pulitzer (a few steps from this marker); City Hall Park Burial Site (within shouting distance of this marker); First Almshouse
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(within shouting distance of this marker); Interment Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Surrogates Court (within shouting distance of this marker); The Brooklyn Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); The Provost Prison (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
 
Also see . . .  Civil Engineers Plaque. Official NYC parks description (Submitted on February 24, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.) 
 
The Rotunda Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 10, 2011
2. The Rotunda Marker
Marker in City Hall Park image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 10, 2011
3. Marker in City Hall Park
Another Rotunda Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, 2007
4. Another Rotunda Marker
This other marker was nearby. It, along with several others in the vicinity, were removed after it was found that the laser printed image did not hold up to foot traffic, and that they were slippery when wet.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 697 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on September 18, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.   4. submitted on February 21, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
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Jun. 17, 2026