Central

     The Arsenal is a historic land mark in Central Park, New York.  It was built between 1847-1851 as a state.armory. It Jas the appearance of a medieval fortress.  

    The building was designed by Martin E.Thompson.The building style is Gothic.Revival but it is designed with specific military features.

Key Features of this style

The towers.  The  building has large octagon towers at the corners giving it the appearance of a strong fortress

The roof: it features a crenelatted cornice, which is a jagged roofline that resembles the top of a castle wall.

Main Entrance: A large cast iron American eagle sits proudly above the front doorway.  The entrance is also decorated with military themed drums and cannonballs    

Uses of the building

     Military Munitions depot (1851-1857) The building was              originally constructed for the New York State Militia to              store arms, artillery and ammunition

     Police Station (1857)  When.the city bought the land to              build to build Central Park, the military moved out. The              building then became home to the 11th Precinct Police                Department

    A Makeshift Zoo (1860s-1871

    Before the official Central Park Zoo was built,.the building        housed a wild  “menargie” of live  animals.  Visitors could        hear and smell lions, elephants, and camels, right inside          the structure.

    The First Museum of National History (1869- 1877). The            second and third floors served as the very first home for           the  American Museum of Natural History.  This is where          scientists used to put together giant dinosaur skeletons

  Municipal Weather Bureau (1869-1918).  Forecasters set up     heavy equipment and high towers to track local weather.