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.

References:

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Cemeteries, mausoleums and burial places in United States

User Reviews

Rachel W (6 months ago)
We have gone to the cemetery three years in a row for their Halloween events and each year we have found something new and wonderful! The circus, cider cart, shadow puppets, artsy films, lighting, eerie music, and ethereal costuming are a unique experience each year. A little pricey, but worth it to contribute to these artists and performers that take their time to pay homage to the dead and the holiday!

Frederick Bradbury V (6 months ago)
Amazing cemetery that is great to walk around in. The gate is beautiful. There are plenty of historical graves if you are interested in visiting graves.

Peter Jacobs (6 months ago)
Went on the night tour of the cemetery, was extremely interesting. Highly recommended, especially if you can join a tour with Marge Raymond. She is awesome.

Chantelle Marie Smith (13 months ago)
Memorial Day weekend Saturday, May 25, 2024. Entered through the Prospect Park West entrance. Was happy to find a paper map that marks trails and walkways that highlight and commemorate many historical figures, art and architecture, and even important environmental information on the relevance of trees and the essential biodiversity of nature. Beautiful place. Incredibly impressed with the maintenance of the grounds and the array of information on the natural history and roots of New York City. They have an app available too, but I much prefer (and find it much easier and more useful) to read & follow the recyclable paper map while I use my phone to take pictures of all the natural beauty, art, architecture, and incredibly detailed and intricate stonework in this gorgeous living cemetery. ❤️?

Dan Zena (14 months ago)
If you're looking for serenity, peace, tranquility in NYC, away from the chaotic, ultra fast paced environment of NYC; than you'll be hard pressed to find any place that'll bestow you with that anywhere in this city than Greenwood Cemetery. Greenwood Cemetery has given me a peace, calmness, tranquility of mind, body and spirit every time I have past those gates. All year round I come here, rain, snow, sun, wind any inclement weather, I come here. I ALWAYS find my inner peace in this cemetery. I could and I have been at some of my lowest points in life, mentally, physically, spiritually and Greenwood has always provided me with clarity. Its a big cemetery with two lakes, lots of great architecture of tombstones and mausoleums and there's even some cool art displays here and there. Lots of famous grave sites here, for those whom are interested. Feels like you're walking through a peace of history. For nature lovers, you can find some cool birds and different kinds of plants and flowers. There's many places in NYC that are a great refuge of peace, calmness and relaxation but none give you that true feeling of being AWAY from it all like Greenwood. Its not ever really packed (except for a event or so here and there) and its not really ever over saturated with visitors. A true oasis of peace and tranquility in this concrete jungle.

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