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1876, the park became the first site to display the Statue of Liberty’s torch-bearing arm. |
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The First Annual N.Y. Bench Show, which continued on to become the Westminister Kennel Show, was held in the park in 1877. |
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The first Madison Square Garden opened on the Northeast corner of the park in 1879. Although it moved several times in the 20th century it kept its original name. |
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The park is the setting for several of O. Henry’s short stories, including “The Sparrows in Madison Square.” |
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At the turn of the century many famous families lived in the elegant townhouse that circled the park, including people such as Winston Churchill’s grandmother, Jenny Jerome, and Edith Warton. |
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On Christmas Eve in 1912, America’s first community Christmas tree was lit in the park.
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