Green-Wood Cemetery.
In an old part of Brooklyn, there is a cemetery with some of the richest history of America. Green-Wood Cemetery hosts many prominent people and sophisticated architecture throughout the landscape. It was a battleground for the Battle of Brooklyn, a major Civil War burial site and continues to attract many visitors today with its history and beauty.
After the Declaration of Independence was signed, the first major battle of the Revolutionary War occurred in Brooklyn. Part of the fighting itself ensued where Green-Wood Cemetery would be established. Some of the deadliest fighting transpired on the highest hill of Brooklyn and is now known as Battle Hill. A monument was placed on the site [1].
In 1838, Green-Wood Cemetery opened to relieve the overcrowded Church graveyards and their negative connotation. It was designed by architect, David Bates Douglass. The cemetery covers 478 acres of woods, hills, fields and valleys. It attracted many visitors from the start and inspired some of the creation of Central and Prospect Park. It soon became a prestigious place to be buried [2]. Soon after the establishment, the American Civil War broke out, and the cemetery became a main site to bury soldiers from the war. Some veteran New Yorkers were buried at the time, and thousands more after the war. The cemetery is a part of the national Civil War Discovery Trail.
Currently, Green-wood Cemetery is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, by the US Department of Interior. It hosts over 500,000 deceased residents with significant memorials and people throughout the grounds. It is also strangely the home of monk parakeets along with other wildlife [1]. There are catacombs that run underneath the cemetery and available for lucky viewers to visit occasionally [3]. Green-wood Cemetery is beyond a graveyard, and celebrates the lives and history of Brooklyn, New York City and the United States.
Famous Residents
William Magear “Boss” Tweed (1823-1878) – infamous corrupt mayor of New York who stole millions of dollars
Charles Ebbets (1859-1925) – owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers and erected Ebbets Field
Henry Chadwick (1824-1908) – known as the “Father of Baseball” for his reporting and contributions
Charles Lewis Tiffany (1812-1902) – founder of Tiffany & Co.
By Nick Borak
Places to Visit
Green-Wood Cemetery - Brooklyn
A historical and beautiful cemetery where much fighting occurred during the Battle of Brooklyn and hosts many historical graves from a variety of American wars. There is a monument on Battle Hill within the cemetery. The site hosts many events, including reenactments of the Battle of Brooklyn. Visitors can view beautiful memorials and take tours, including catacombs.
Battle Hill Monument
A monument commemorating those who fought in the Battle of Brooklyn, some of which occurred in the area.
Prospect Park
A large park in the heart of Brooklyn and easily one of its treasures.
Sources
[1] Maranzani, Barbara. Green-Wood Cemetery: A Victorian-Era Icon Turns 175. History: History Stories. A&E Television Networks, LLC. 13 May 2013.
https://www.history.com/news/green-wood-cemetery-a-victorian-era-icon-turns-175
[2] About/History. Green-Wood. The Green-Wood Historic Fund. 28 February 2019.
https://www.green-wood.com/about-history/
[3] Penavic, Vera. The Top 10 Secrets of Green-Wood Cemetery In NYC. untapped cities: rediscover your city. Untapped Cities. 18 April 2016.
https://untappedcities.com/2016/04/18/the-top-10-secrets-of-green-wood-cemetery-in-nyc/
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