Van Cortlandt Park in New York City is named after the Van Cortlandt family, which was one of the oldest and most prominent families in the region during the colonial era.
The Van Cortlandt family first arrived in the New World in the mid-17th century and quickly became influential members of the Dutch community in what is now the Bronx. They were prominent landowners and played an important role in the early development of the region, establishing large estates and engaging in various business ventures.
Augustus Van Cortlandt, who was a descendant of the family, donated the land for Van Cortlandt Park to the City of New York in 1888. The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who were also responsible for the design of Central Park in Manhattan, and it quickly became a popular destination for residents of the Bronx and visitors from other parts of the city.
Today, Van Cortlandt Park remains one of the largest and most popular parks in New York City, offering a wide range of recreational activities and serving as an important natural landmark in the region. The Van Cortlandt family’s legacy as influential landowners and business leaders in the early history of the region is still remembered and celebrated through the naming of the park and other landmarks and institutions throughout the area.
Augustus Van Cortlandt (1833-1907) was a prominent businessman and philanthropist in New York City during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was a descendant of the Van Cortlandt family, which was one of the oldest and most influential families in the region during the colonial era.
Van Cortlandt was born in New York City and began his career as a clerk for a mercantile firm before becoming involved in the family’s various business interests, including shipping, real estate, and banking. He was a successful businessman and played an important role in the economic development of the region during the late 19th century.
Van Cortlandt was also a dedicated philanthropist and played an important role in the development of several cultural and educational institutions in New York City. He was a founding member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and served as a trustee of several other prominent institutions, including Columbia University and the American Museum of Natural History.
One of Van Cortlandt’s most notable philanthropic contributions was the donation of the land for Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux and quickly became a popular destination for residents of the Bronx and visitors from other parts of the city.
Augustus Van Cortlandt passed away in 1907, but his legacy as a successful businessman and influential philanthropist is still remembered and celebrated today. The Van Cortlandt family’s contributions to the early history of the region and their ongoing commitment to public service and philanthropy continue to inspire and inform contemporary efforts to improve the quality of life for residents of New York City and beyond.