Jeff Richman This certainly has been a tough winter. No question: it is hard to enjoy all that snow shoveling, all that wandering through slush and puddles, all that cold. But there is a saving grace–the incredible beauty left by winter storms. And, over the last few days, that beauty has been on display at Green-Wood. It … Read more
It is never easy to kill a tree. But sometimes it is a good idea. For several months now, I’ve been working with Elizabeth Christian, our intern extraordinaire, on Then and Now photographs of Green-Wood. We thought it would be interesting to gather historic 19th century images of the cemetery, then go out and take … Read more
Celebrating February birthdays are Green-Wood’s permanent residents: February 3, 1811: Horace Greeley was the founder and editor of the New York Tribune which boasted the largest national circulation of any newspaper in the United States in the mid-19th-century. A political and social activist, he advocated many causes, including workers’ and women’s rights, manifest destiny and … Read more
Green-Wood has long been known as a green oasis of trees and gardens. Well, now we are taking it up a notch. So, on April 16, we will be hosting a day devoted to gardening. Free mulch will be available. In cooperation with the New York Restoration Project, and as a part of the MillionTreesNYC, … Read more
Unfortunately, not all historians are honest. Dr. Thomas P. Lowry, according to the description on one of his books, is “a retired professor of psychiatry.” Lowry, since the late 1990s, has made something of a name for himself as a researcher at the National Archives, going through obscure material there, then publishing books about his … Read more
Few names from the Civil War are as magical as John Singleton Mosby (1833-1916), “The Gray Ghost” of the Confederacy. Leading his First Virginia Cavalry, widely known as Mosby’s Rangers, in lightning raids against Union forces, then disbursing to local farms, Mosby’s great raids are the stuff of legend. One of his most famous actions … Read more
It was a different time. During the Civil War, millions of men went off to fight for cause and country. But the governments of North and South were tiny, and had few resources. So private groups, like the Sanitary Commission, organized by New York City’s leading citizens (many of its leaders are interred at Green-Wood), … Read more
It is a very exciting day! After a tremendous amount of work by many people, we are very proud to announce that our new website has launched. As you will see at green-wood.com, our website now has a great deal going on, reflecting the fact that there is so much that Green-Wood has to offer. … Read more
Heinrich Steinweg (1797-1871) trained as a pianomaker in Germany. He immigrated to New York City in 1851, Anglicized his name to Henry Steinway, and, with his four sons, who had come with him, made Steinway Pianos America’s leading piano manufacturer. He had the largest tomb at Green-Wood built for his family: room for 128 interments … Read more
It is not unusual for museums to lose pieces in its collections. Artifacts, illegally dug or improperly exported, are routinely returned to their country of origin. Paintings, confiscated by Nazis, are found and returned to their owners. But the story about 4,500 pre-Columbian artifacts at the Brooklyn Museum is a strange one. Minor Cooper Keith … Read more