Ratzer Map

Did you know Washington spent over five decades in and out of New York City? New York City was the stage for many of George Washington’s career trials and triumphs. Washington first visited New York City in February 1756 while traveling to Boston, where he was greeted with celebrations in his honor of his military services and published accounts of his mission as a royal emissary during the Seven Years War. Washington triumphantly returned to the city in June 1776 – this time leading the Continental Army to head off the British. Washington’s headquarters was steps away from the tavern at One Broadway. By the end of that summer, the British victory at the Battle of Long Island forced the Continental Army retreat out of the city for the duration of the war. Washington would spend the next seven years trying to win back the city, but with no avail. 

The next time Washington entered New York City was November 25, 1783 and was met with great fanfare and celebration. Evacuation Day marked the last day any British militia or loyalist were allowed in New York. As the last of the British ships sailed out of the harbor, General Washington triumphantly paraded down Broadway and into the Battery. The festivities concluded right here at Fraunces Tavern – with a celebration including thirteen toasts in honor of the thirteen colonies.

Washington returned to New York City, the nation’s first capital, to be inaugurated as the first President of the United States on April 30, 1789 at Federal Hall, just steps from the tavern down Broad Street. The Washington’s would take up residency on 3 Cherry Street and enlisted one of his favorite cooks, Samuel Fraunces, to be his personal steward for the presidential household. 

The map you see here shows what New York City looked like around the time of Washington’s many visits. As a seasoned surveyor in Virginia, Washington would have created maps like this depicting Virginia’s western frontier. He became a professional surveyor in 1749 at the age of 16 – one his first commissions was from the College of William and Mary to survey the newly formed Culpeper County. Many years later, Washington revived the name Culpeper, using it as Abraham Woodhull’s alias in the Culper Spy Ring.