A lot of chatter in community circles has been shown recently over the concern for and overall fate of the Column of Jerash, the second oldest object held in a public N.Y.C park, aside from the 3500 year plus old Cleopatra’s Needle in Central Park. The 30 foot column, perched in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, just to the left of the Unisphere, was gifted by King Hussein of Jordan for showcase in the 1964-65 World’s Fair, and has remained there ever since. Long promoted as coming from the Temple of Artemis in Jerash, Jordan, Circa 120 AD during Roman Times, research in 2015, proved it to be from another unidentified column from the same era.
Billed as a major attraction for the fair, its significance was superseded by a set of murals at the Jordanian Pavilion depicting Israeli-Palestinian woes, which resulted in protests for the murals removal, which did not occur. Gloria Nash, author of ‘Looking Back at the Future: photographing vintage leftovers of New York’s World Fairs,’ said “The column ranks very high in historic significance. Artifacts from that fair are sadly becoming lost and forgotten. Outside of this city, the Fair counts very highly as a historic event. But, it is taken for granted here. My fear is that its historic significance will not be taken seriously until it is too late.”
As time and weathering continued, in 2008, the fragile column had cracks cosmetically filled with mortar. Even more man-made serious issues happened thereafter, that of vandalism. Damage to the upper portion of the column was revealed in 2023, resulting in the Park’s Dept removing it to a safe location, in an effort to repair it. By 2024, more vandalism was incurred causing deep wounds to the lower half of the structure. Ms, Nash continued, “The best case scenario would be for the artifact to be housed indoors, the Queens Museum for example. While many of us think that’s a no-brain solution, the museum’s perspective is that the issue belongs to Flushing Meadows Corona Park, an entirely separate entity from the museum.”
Inquiries to the Parks Dept. about plans for the column by this writer and others have proved fruitless. Questions to Community Board Four, including two from its Parks Committee were also met with silence. In a shared email with Historic District Council Director Frampton Tolbert, a glimmer of hope was revealed, and should relive some anxiety. Tolbert wrote: ‘Here is a short update from Parks for community members. Parks is pursuing a plan on the recommendation from experts to find a permanent home for the column indoors. Due to its age and the weather, it should be restored and displayed indoors for its safety and stability. I don’t believe they have found a home yet and still need funding to restore it.”
[FEATURED IMAGE: Justin Rivers/Untapped New York]
James is the Vice President of the Newtown Civic Association, the Elmhurst Memorial League, and Elmhurst History and Cemeteries Preservation Society.
