The 18th century was crucial to the development of New York. At the beginning of the century, New York was a small British trading colony of 12,309 people; by the century's end, its population had grown to 79,216 people and was the capital of the United States. Nowhere in this country is there an archaeological site which illustrates this explosion of civic growth as dramatically as City Hall Park. On a broader scale City Hall Park is our only witness not only to the turmoil of the Revolutionary War and the occupation of New York but also to the development of public institutions based on an emerging philosophy of civic responsibility.

The City Hall Park archaeological project recovered 400,000 artifacts that can reveal information about the civic transformation of the 18~~ Century. Archaeology uncovered portions of Colonial and Revolutionary War Soldiers' Barracks where British officers and soldiers were housed both before and during the British occupation of New York; the Almshouse which housed the ill and impoverished; the Bridewell, a prison, and the New Gaol, another penal institution.

The site provides unparalleled opportunities to combine the rich historic documents with the archaeological finds to illuminate all facets of public life in New York during these tumultuous times.

What specific questions can the archaeological analysis answer?
How was the park used through time? The 1999 renovation is the latest in a series of adaptations of this civic site. Archaeology will inform the public about the documented and undocumented historic conformation of the park over the last three centuries.
Civic institutions in the park were used by people of different classes. Archaeology will illustrate the differences in terms of possessions, diet, and behavior and will then compare this information to New York and other parts of the Colonies.

Occupied New York was the British headquarters for much of the Revolutionary War. Archaeology of City Hall Park can speak directly to the conditions and connections of the occupiers, prisoners of war, and the poor.

In the 18th Century New York developed into a center of international trade and commerce. City Hall Park artifacts will demonstrate this growth and the place of New York in the local and global economy.

What can be done with the results of this research?
Exhibits utilizing materials found at City Hall Park ranging from those of general historic interest such as, what was occupied New York like? What was life like for the poor in the 18th century? Trade and commerce in early New York? To more specific exhibits such as British firearms in the Revolutionary War.
Brochures for tourists, especially visitors to City Hall Park and Tweed Courthouse. CD ROM multimedia presentations such as in the DoITT information kiosks in City Hall Park.
Using the artifacts to enrich the history curriculum in New York City schools.
Magazine articles and books
Academic uses (PhD dissertations, journal articles, college lectures)