Art & Monuments

Christopher Park is home to George Segal’s Gay Liberation sculpture and other monuments and public art. Together, they reflect different chapters of the park’s history. From 20th-century memorials honoring Civil War figures to Gay Liberation, these artworks help tell the story of this historic landscape at the heart of Stonewall National Monument.

Gay Liberation — George Segal

George Segal’s Gay Liberation is the best-known work of public art in Christopher Park. It is also an important part of the landscape of Stonewall National Monument. Commissioned in 1979 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, the sculpture depicts two standing men and two seated women in quiet, everyday poses.

Why the Figures Are White

The figures are cast in bronze, but their distinctive white appearance reflects a hallmark of Segal’s work. Beginning in the early 1960s, Segal developed a technique for creating life-size figures by wrapping living models in plaster-impregnated bandages. The resulting white figures became a signature of his art. They emphasize human form, posture and gesture rather than the natural colors of skin, hair and clothing.

Segal was particularly interested in what he called the “naturalness of everyday gestures.” He explored how the body could express a person’s emotional presence. Throughout his career, he used this distinctive approach to portray people sitting, standing, waiting, working and interacting in familiar settings.

The white surface of Gay Liberation should therefore be understood within this larger artistic tradition. It is characteristic of Segal’s treatment of the human figure. It is not a representation of the race or skin color of the people depicted.

That artistic approach is especially meaningful in Gay Liberation. Rather than depicting the Stonewall uprising as a scene of protest or confrontation, Segal portrayed gay men and lesbians simply sharing a public space. They stand together, sit together and express quiet intimacy. At the time, positive public representations of same-sex relationships were rare. Gay Liberation presented those relationships with an everyday humanity and dignity.

A Controversial Path to Christopher Park

Although commissioned in 1979 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, Gay Liberation was not installed in Christopher Park until 1992. The proposed installation faced years of controversy and opposition. Some neighborhood residents objected to the sculpture. Members of the LGBTQ+ community also questioned how it represented the movement.

Stanford University installed another casting of the sculpture on its campus in 1984. Today, Gay Liberation is a focal point of Christopher Park and a powerful reminder of the struggle for LGBTQ+ civil rights.

Learn more about Gay Liberation and Stonewall National Monument

General Philip H. Sheridan Monument

The eastern portion of Christopher Park contains a bronze statue of Civil War General Philip H. Sheridan, a prominent Union cavalry commander. Sculptor Joseph P. Pollia created the monument, which was installed in 1936.

The Sheridan monument reflects an earlier period in Christopher Park’s history. At the time, New York City parks commonly featured civic memorials honoring military figures.

The Civil War Memorial Flagstaff

The park’s memorial flagstaff and plaque also date to 1936. They honor Colonel Ephraim Elmer Ellsworth, an officer associated with the New York Fire Zouaves during the Civil War.

Ellsworth became one of the first Union officers killed in the war. In the years that followed, Americans widely commemorated him. The flagstaff remains part of the historic landscape of Christopher Park.

Christopher Park’s Historic Fence

A distinctive 19th-century wrought-iron fence surrounds Christopher Park. For generations, it has helped define the park’s triangular footprint.

The fence is more than a decorative feature. It contributes to the historic character of the park and the surrounding Stonewall National Monument landscape. Together with the brick paths, benches, plantings and monuments, it helps preserve the sense of place that visitors experience today.

Explore the Park

These monuments are part of a larger historic landscape that includes Christopher Park, the Stonewall Inn and the surrounding Greenwich Village streets. The Stonewall uprising unfolded here. Explore the park in person or learn more about its history before your visit.

Plan Your Visit
History of Christopher Park

Additional Resources

Christopher Park — National Park Service
Stonewall National Monument — National Park Service