This park was commemorated to Isidor and Ida Straus, two prominent New Yorkers who died aboard the Titanic. Isidor was a co-owner of Macy's department store with his brother, and later served as a US Congressman. The Straus' engaged in many philanthropic endeavors in health and education, making them beloved by New York City. They actually lived quite close to the park, on 105th Street. The couple perished, tragically, when the Titanic sunk after hitting an iceberg. Ida was offered the opportunity to evacuate the ship with women and children in lifeboats, but she refused, choosing not to separate from her husband even if it lead to death. The inscription on their monument alludes to their philanthropic works, and Ida's choice to stay with Isidor:
Lovely and pleasant were they in their lives
And in their death they were not divided
II Samuel 1:23
Straus Park is quite small, but a good spot to have a rest outdoors. A garden and shrubbery borders the park, and a fountain and sculpture decorate the memorial.
My favorite aspect of the park is the allegorical sculpture of memory, represented by a woman gazing into a pool of water. Audrey Munson, a celebrated model during the early 1900s, served as the model for this sculpture. Munson posed for many public sculptures in NYC, earning her the nickname "Miss Manhattan." You can see Munson depicting allegorical women throughout NYC, from the Manhattan Bridge to Penn Station.
Find your way with 304 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Color World sets up on the corner of 116th and 2nd Avenue, rain or shine. There they serve beef, pork, goat, oxtail, and chicken for $10 a plate.
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Their prices are in keeping with the neighborhood: a plate of two eggs, two pancakes, 'home' fried potatoes and your choice of sausages or bacon, is $12.
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Among its offerings are a $10 breakfast special and its enormous $15 lunchtime hamburger, a price unobtainable anywhere else within walking distance.
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This sun soaked park bench is a destination neighborhood residents know, spending time there in observation. It’s one of the more fabulous NYC stages.
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"Monumental Women" has erected this monument in Central Park, NYC to especially important figures in the United States women's equality movement...
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"Der Krung" in Hell's Kitchen in New York City is by far my favorite Thai place around. One of the best things about it is the $9.75 lunch special...
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"Studio Museum in Harlem" in New York focuses on local, national and international artists of African descent and other work inspired by black culture...
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"Dinastia" is a great Cuban-Chinese restaurant in New York City. They definitely make soul food here. Consider the squid and rice: it's always good...
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