Alexander Hamilton's Customs House

Scott likes to tell the kids that nothing in New York is free.

Unfortunately, for Scott, that is not entirely true.

Alec, Heath, and I set out one morning on a search for shoes.

We found ourselves very sidetracked and wandering around the tip of Manhattan, 

specifically 1 Bowling Green.

To our surprise, we found the National Museum of the American Indian.

Entrance fee: Free!

This building was built in 1901-1907.  It is known as the Alexander Hamilton Customs House.

It sits on approximately the same site as Fort Amsterdam. 

 I'm not clear as to what year it stopped serving as the Customs House, but I believe it was in the 70's when the customs moved to a different building.  

This building currently holds the National Archives.

The architect is Cass Gilbert. Other architects/artists that worked on the sculptures are Daniel Chester French, Louis St. Gaudens, and Albert Jaegers.  The building and sculptures are enormous and beautiful.  The style is Beaux arts.

I can't possibly capture the beauty of this building, but here are some pictures of the outside sculptures representing America, Asia, Europe and Africa.

Inside, the building is just as amazing as the outside.  

The rotunda is representative of a Roman dome.

Heath is hanging out by the desks in the rotunda,

part of the customs area that served as the check-in.

After walking through the rotunda and learning about the customs house we went through the portion dedicated to the American Indian.  We were fascinated by all of the artifacts and the history and relevance the American Indian plays in our culture.

I was really taken with this Effigy.

I want Alec to make me a gourd that looks like this.

The interesting thing about this particular customs house is that it was built with its back to the harbor.

The building faces Bowling Green.

When we emerged from the seven story structure, we were greeted with baked goods and a small farmers market.  We found some Apple Cider Vinegar Donuts - not free.

Thank you, Alexander Hamilton for the free visit to the Customs House!