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Your Park > Flagship Parks & Virtual Tours > Van Cortlandt Park

Vault Hill

Vault Hill is where the Van Cortlandt family established their burial ground in 1748 upon Frederick Van Cortlandt's death. At the onset of the American Revolution, City Clerk Augustus Van Cortlandt (Frederick's son) feared the British would destroy the city records, so he hid them here. Although the family remains have been removed to Woodlawn Cemetery, the stone-walled structure still exists upon the hill. Rocky outcrops here rise 169 feet above sea level and offer an inspiring view of the Parade Ground and, on a clear day, the skyscrapers of Manhattan.

image of Vault HIll
Malcolm Pinckney

The Vault is pre-dated by the Kingsbridge Burying Ground (1732). A remnant of the cemetery lies in a small fenced area just east of the Ecology Center. Several prominent families, including the Berrians, Tippets and Ackermans, are buried here.

 


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map of Van Cortlandt Park has hot spot links to sections of virtual tour Hot Spot link to The Van Cortlandt House Museum Hot Spot link to The Parade Ground Hot Spot link to Vault Hill Hot Spot link to Van Cortlandt Lake Hot Spot link to The Putnam Trail Hot Spot link to Old Croton Aqueduct Trail Hot Spot link to Indian Field Hot Spot link to Memorial Grove Hot Spot link to John Muir Nature Trail Hot Spot link to Van Cortlandt Golf Course Hot Spot link to The Cass Gallagher Nature Trail Hot Spot link to Tibbetts Brook

1. The Van Cortlandt House Museum
2. The Parade Ground
3. Vault Hill
4. Van Cortlandt Lake
5. The Putnam Trail
6. Old Croton Aqueduct Trail
7. Indian Field
8. Memorial Grove
9. John Muir Nature Trail
10. Van Cortlandt Golf Course
11. The Cass Gallagher Nature Trail
12. Tibbetts Brook