Joseph Rodman Drake Park & Enslaved African Burial Ground

View all monuments in NYC Parks, as well as temporary public art installations on our NYC Public Art Map and Guide.

Joseph Rodman Drake

Click map for directions

  • Location: Hunts Point to Longfellow Avenue
  • Description: Monolith on square pedestal, with plaque
  • Materials: Bronze, marble
  • Dimensions: H: 8' W: 2' D: 2'; Plaque H: 2' W: 1'3"
  • Dedicated: 1915
  • Foundry: Tiffany Studio
  • Donor: Gift
  • Inscription: SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF JOSEPH R. DRAKE M.D. WHO DIED SEPT. 21, 1820, AGE 25. NON KNEW HIM. BUT TO LOVE HIM NOR NAMED HIM. BUT
    TO PRAISE HIM.

    RENOVATED BY THE ROWSON LIBRARY UNION JULY25,1891.

    JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE
    1795-1820
    GREEN BE THE TURF ABOVE THEE FRIEND OF MY BETTER DAYS
    NONE KNEW THEE BUT TO LOVE THEE
    NORNAMED THEE BUT TO PRAISE
    FITZ-GREENE HALLECK

    ERECTED BY / THE BRONX SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES / MAY 29, 1915 /

Please note, the NAME field includes a primary designation as well as alternate namingsoften in common or popular usage. The DEDICATED field refers to the most recent dedication, most often, butnot necessarily the original dedication date. If the monument did not have a formal dedication, the yearlisted reflects the date of installation.

For more information, please contact Art & Antiquities at (212) 360-8163

Check out your park's Vital Signs

Clean & Safe

No recent capital investment.

Green & Resilient

No natural areas present at this site.

Empowered & Engaged Users

No recent or upcoming events.
No active volunteer groups.

Share your feedback or learn more about how this park is part of a Vital Park System

Park Information