Green-Wood Cemetery

New York, United States

Green-Wood Cemetery  in the western portion of Brooklyn was founded in 1838 as a rural cemetery, in a time of rapid urbanization when churchyards in New York City were becoming overcrowded. 

Green-Wood's site is characterized by varied topography created by glacial moraines, particularly the Harbor Hill Moraine. Battle Hill (also known as Gowan's Heights), the highest point in Brooklyn. It was the site of an important action during the Battle of Long Island on August 27, 1776. A Revolutionary War monument by Frederick Ruckstull, Altar to Liberty: Minerva, was erected there in 1920.

There are several famous monuments and mausoleums located there, designed in several architectural styles including the Classical, Egyptian, Gothic, and Romanesque styles. In addition, many tombs contain ornate sculptural decoration. Among the first monuments was a statue of DeWitt Clinton, built in 1853. There is also a memorial erected by James Brown, president of Brown Brothers bank and the Collins Line, to the six members of his family lost in the SS Arctic disaster of 1854. This incorporates a sculpture of the ship, half-submerged by the waves, as well as a Civil War Memorial. In 1868–1876, after the war ended, the Civil War Soldiers' Monument was erected at the highest point in Green-Wood.

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More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Alexandra Zieminski (3 years ago)
A beautiful and peaceful section of the city. The grounds are fully maintained and there is so much to enjoy. The occasional tours are very interesting and informative. It’s a lovely place to reflect and escape the craziness of the city for a bit.
Elektra Fischer (3 years ago)
One of my favorite places in New York by far. No matter how many times I come here it never fails to take my breath away. Regardless of the time of year it is always stunning. I love to walk through Greenwood, but I know you can also drive through it. There are tiny winding paths and hills so definitely get ready to walk if you want to, but you could also stay on the highly groomed paths. I love to come here and think. Greenwood is comparable to the beauty of Central Park in my opinion. If I were to be buried somewhere (which I do not intend to be) Greenwood is most likely where I would want to be.
Lorelei Heffernan (3 years ago)
I visited here recently after noticing it on the map and I was so glad I did. It's free to visit and easily accessible by subway. The grounds have an incredible presence and vastness. Because of the hills, you can pretty easily be surrounded so that you can't hear almost any of the city sounds (except sometimes sirens) and it really feels like a timeless escape. If it weren't for the Manhattan skyline (which you can get great views of), it feels like you're taken back in time. I absolutely recommend visiting here. Also, don't miss the Koi pond off to the left of the entrance (if you're standing inside), it's very nice. There are awesome events here too, I've seen some great, free musical performances.
G Aquino (4 years ago)
2020 update: Today, we were unfortunately locked in when we reached the Fort Hamilton gate around 5:30 PM after a three hour walk around the place. Yep, you read that right. 'Locked in', like prisoners. We panicked, especially after sizing up the high gate and realizing how dangerous it would be to climb it. Thankfully, there were two other groups who arrived after us, and someone called the phone number posted at the small guard house. Twenty minutes later, a park employee pulled over and let us out. Tips: Pay attention to their hours and the passing time. It's easy to spend many hours here without realizing it. Don't call the number listed here on Maps as no one will pick up. Find that number posted by the guard house and if that doesn't work, call 911. ----- 2016 review: Picturesque place to take a leisurely stroll. Yes, tombs do make for nice photos, especially in the fall when the foliage explodes with bright colors. Ask for a map at the entrance to see where the tombs of popular New Yorkers are found. Just be patient because all roads and walk paths are too windy it is difficult to figure out your exact location at any given moment. It also does not help that the place has not been mapped properly by Google Maps. Find an elevated spot near the entrance to view Manhattan's skyline.
_.KT23 (4 years ago)
RIP TO THE W??
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