House Tour!

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Who doesn’t love a house tour? And how about a “house tour” of cemetery mausoleums? Now you’re talking!

We started this event a few years ago, opening up mausoleums to the public, with volunteers in character and in costume greeting visitors. And it has caught on–and gotten bigger and better each year.

This year, we opened up 9 mausoleums on Saturday–some of which had never before been opened to the public. On Sunday it was 8–including the Catacombs and two that were first-timers, so to speak.

And visitors came out in the rain and in the sun. Saturday was a rainy day–but visitors showed up to explore. Sunday was a brilliant fall day–and the crowds were even bigger, with many walk-ups. In all, about 450 people paid to explore Green-Wood’s open houses.

This event would not be possible without a dedicated and enthusiastic group of volunteers. Some greeted visitors, took or sold them tickets, and sent them on their way. Others appeared in costume and in character, sharing stories and biographical information, as well as pointing out features of the mausoleum they were in.

Here’s the in-costume cast from Sunday:

Sunday's cast.
Sunday’s cast.

And here’s Ruth Edebohls, longtime volunteer and Green-Wood Historic Fund tour guide, as she awaits visitors:

The Widow Van Ness, catching some fresh air.
The Widow Van Ness, catching some fresh air.
Joseph Swarz, as artist John La Farge.
Joseph Schwarz, as multitalented artist John La Farge–painter, muralist, and stained glass pioneer.
Volunteer Ben Feldman is also an author. Ben has just published his third book, a biography of theatre empersario William Niblo. Here in portrays Niblo in front of his mausoleum.
Volunteer Ben Feldman is also an author. Ben has just published his third book, a biography of theatre empersario William Niblo, “East in Eden: William Niblo and His Pleasure Garden of Yore.” Here in portrays Niblo in front of his mausoleum.
There were several characters positioned across the grounds, including President Theodore Roosevelt's mother, Mitty, and the actress Kate Claxton. Here's Boss Tweed (dedicated volunteer Jim Lambert), catching some sun for a change.
There were several characters positioned across the grounds, rather than in tombs, including President Theodore Roosevelt’s mother Mitty and the actress Kate Claxton. Here’s Boss Tweed (dedicated volunteer Jim Lambert), catching some sun for a change.

 

The sun was shining through the stained glass at the Whitney Mausoleum, creating this pattern.
The sun was shining through the stained glass at the Whitney Mausoleum, creating this pattern.

 

The Steinway Mausoleum (yes, the piano people) is the largest tomb at Green-Wood: there is room for 256 interments, 128 on the ground floor and 128 in the basement.
The Steinway Mausoleum (yes, the piano people) is the largest tomb at Green-Wood: there is room for 256 interments, 128 on the ground floor and 128 in the basement.

It was a glorious weekend for all concerned: visitors in the rain and in the sun, visitors who are Green-Wood regulars and those who were at Green-Wood for the first time, volunteers in costume and not, and even for those who died long ago, and who were remembered on this weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

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