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Story by Gloria Pazmiño and Debralee Santos
J. Hood Wright Park is celebrating its 175th birthday, and the occasion is lending itself to a party, a photo contest, and an opportunity for a genealogical re-acquaintance.
“This has certainly enriched our knowledge of our extended family,” chuckles Dr. John Conygham Robinson, a retired pediatrician outside Boston.
While the J. Hood Wright and his wife, Mrs. Mary Wright never had biological children together, Mrs. Wright had four children. Dr. Robinson is her great-grandson.
While he will not be able to attend the celebration, Dr. Robinson and his brother Peter have been apprised of the impending festivities by Bob Isaac of the group the Friends of J. Hood Wright.
“He’s told me more about my family than I ever knew,” explains Dr. Robinson of Isaac’s enthusiasm for and knowledge of all things J. Hood Wright.
Indeed, together with the NYC Parks Department, Isaac is teaming up to celebrate the Park’s 175th birthday with a special party, complete with birthday cake, and partnering also with The Manhattan Times on a photo contest to mark the milestone.
Readers are asked to turn the plot of land that stretches between West 173rd and 176th Streets from Fort Washington Avenue to Haven Avenue into a source of inspiration.
The park, named for the former owner of the site, offers sprawling views of Northern Manhattan’s hilly landscape, a breathtaking view of the George Washington Bridge, natural greenery, and native trees.
Whether photography is a passion, a hobby, or just an occasional pastime, local residents are asked to take a new look, and pictures too. The contest asks for striking digital images of J. Hood Wright Park, located on Fort Washington between 173rd and 176th Streets; contest rules are online at www.manhattantimesnews.com.
J. Hood Wright, born in 1836, was a wealthy banker and financier originally from Philadelphia who made his home in a mansion at West 174th Street and Haven Avenue. The Wright estate, as it became known, originally stretched from West 172nd to 176th Streets, from Broadway to Haven Avenue.
Legend has it that Mr. Wright, who was quite the philanthropist, made large contributions to what is now the Washington Heights branch of the New York Public Library, and he was also instrumental in helping to found a hospital in the neighborhood of Manhattanville. Mr. Wright was also a partner of Anthony Drexel, who later founded Drexel University and J.P Morgan, and was an adviser to Thomas Alva Edison
The parkland where Mr. Wright made his home and raised his family was eventually acquired by the City of New York decades later in 1925, with the purpose of creating a park and playground.
Upon his death in 1894, Mr. Wright bestowed a $100,000 endowment to what is the same Washington Heights Branch of the New York Public Library,, which continues to serve residents today.
The celebration for the J. Hood Wright Park birthday will be presented by the Friends of J. Hood Wright Park, in partnership with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation.
‘Friends of J. Hood Wright’ is a group of neighborhood residents who not only use the park, but also are also involved in community events, and gardening within the park. The group was organized to save and improve the environment of the park during a time when the park was in disrepair.
There will be a “Hood Wright” 175th Birthday Celebration preview held on Sat., Nov 5th at 1 pm at the J. Hood Wright Park Recreation Center with specially invited guests, entertainment, tours and birthday cake.
As notes Dr. Robinson, “It will be a great day.”
Please note that RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED for the birthday celebration due to space limitations. Please RSVP at 212.927.1563.
The deadline for photo submissions is November 1 at 9am to
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; online submissions only. The three winning photos will be published in the November 8th issue of the Manhattan Times.
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