What is the Courthouse Site?
Historically, the Courthouse Site was once part of New York’s most notorious 19th century slum, Five Points. It was a mixed neighborhood of seminal importance to the development of New York City in the 18th and 19th century. The archaeological excavation at the Courthouse Site started on May 20, 1991 and lasted until January of 1992. A new federal courthouse is being constructed at the site. When a federal building project takes place in a historically significant area, by law, the government must fund an archaeological investigation.
