(Sold Out) Battle of Brooklyn: Tales and Tunes
Green-Wood Cemetery 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY, United StatesMark the 241st anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn with a truly revolutionary night. Stroll Green-Wood's dusk-lit landscape as Revolutionary War reenactors illuminate life at the time of our country's battle for survival: setting up camp, cooking, socializing, and steeling themselves for the next day's battle. There will be dance demonstrations, festive music, 18th-century food to sample, and storytelling about battles won and lost amidst the glow of a campfire. The songwriting duo Charming Disaster will provide musical interludes.
(Sold Out) Battle of Brooklyn Trolley Tour
Green-Wood Cemetery 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY, United StatesGet a start on the day’s commemoration activities with this favorite annual tour. Join Green-Wood historian Jeff Richman for a tour of Green-Wood’s Revolutionary War-related sites. Reservations are strongly recommended. This tour always sells out.
Battle of Brooklyn: Commemoration
Green-Wood Cemetery 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY, United StatesThe Battle of Brooklyn, fought in 1776 on land that is now a part of Green-Wood, was the first battle of the American Revolution to be waged after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Green-Wood hosts a morning of commemoration to honor all those who served to defend the young Republic. See parades, cannon fire, horses, and re-enactments. This is a great event for kids and families!
Historic Trolley Tour
Experience the most magnificent and historic 478 acres in New York City. Join our expert tour guides to hear fascinating stories of Green-Wood’s permanent residents, see breathtaking views of Manhattan, tread where George Washington and his troops fought the Battle of Brooklyn, and much more.
Each tour boasts great views, beautiful monuments throughout, rolling hills, century-old trees and stories of the fascinating persons interred at Green-Wood. Please note: all tours include a visit to Green-Wood's Historic Chapel and to Battle Hill.
Historic Trolley Tours
Green-Wood Cemetery 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY, United StatesExperience the most magnificent and historic 478 acres in New York City. Join our expert tour guides to hear fascinating stories of Green-Wood’s permanent residents, see breathtaking views of Manhattan, tread where George Washington and his troops fought the Battle of Brooklyn, and much more.
Death Café
Green-Wood Cemetery 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY, United StatesThe Death Café is inspired by the centuries-old European salon (or café), an informal gathering to discuss philosophical, political or scientific ideas. In 2011, British entrepreneur Jon Underwood brought this concept to discussions of the most universal topic of all: death. Underwood’s intention was to provide an opportunity to “increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their lives.” Today, there are over 4,400 Death Cafes in 26 countries around the world.
(Sold Out) The Savior of Modern Art
Green-Wood Cemetery 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY, United StatesWith $3,000 hidden on his body and the backing of the Emergency Rescue Committee, Varian Fry flew from New York to Marseilles in August, 1940, to begin one of the least known, but most heroic actions of the twentieth century. Carrying a list of 200 luminaries in the fields of art, science, literature and medicine, Fry began his dangerous rescue of some of the world’s most famous artists who were then trapped in Nazi-occupied France. By the time he returned to New York a little over a year later, Fry had saved 2,000 souls, some famous, some unknown.
Concerts in the Catacombs
Green-Wood Cemetery 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY, United StatesIn the 21st-century, musicians love the unmatched acoustic quality of this unique studio of stone. Join Atlas Obscura and Green-Wood for the premiere of a series of curated concerts featuring artists specially selected to perform in this coveted setting. Without question, this will be New York City’s most unique musical experience.
Birding in Peace
Before our gates open to the general public, birding expert Rob Jett leads these peaceful Sunday morning walking tours to discover the many birds that call Green-Wood home. By September, all our nesting birds’ offspring will be on their own. Returning warblers will be in their less flamboyant fall plumage. Large numbers of blackbirds, flycatchers, sparrows, vireos, and swallows will also be passing through. By October, waterfowl are returning, and we’ll look for raptors heading south. November will bring back our overwintering denizen from the north.
Historic Trolley Tours
Green-Wood Cemetery 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY, United StatesExperience the most magnificent and historic 478 acres in New York City. Join our expert tour guides to hear fascinating stories of Green-Wood’s permanent residents, see breathtaking views of Manhattan, tread where George Washington and his troops fought the Battle of Brooklyn, and much more.
(Sold Out) Death Need Not Be Fatal: Book Talk
New York Times bestselling author Malachy McCourt joins us for a very special literary evening to discuss his new work Death Need Not be Fatal, a personal memoir that shows readers how to live life to its fullest, how to grow old without acting old, and how to die without regret. McCourt recounts the tragedies that have shaped his life: the deaths of his sister and twin brothers; the real story behind Angela's famous ashes; and a poignant account of the death of the man who left his mother, brothers, and him to nearly die in squalor. Yet, he finds humor in all that life has thrown him so as to look at the prospect of his own demise with emotional clarity and insight. McCourt will be introduced by the book's co-author Brian McDonald.
2017 GREEN-WOOD BENEFIT
Green-Wood Cemetery 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY, United StatesJoin the Green-Wood Historic Fund as it presents the tenth annual De Witt Clinton Award for Excellence.
The award honors the legacy of 19th-century New York Governor De Witt Clinton (who also served as mayor of New York City, state senator, assemblyman and United States senator), now a venerated permanent resident at Green-Wood. Enjoy cocktails and dinner as we honor Dozier Hasty and Nancy Havens-Hasty and feature the restoration of the Weir Greenhouse and our vision for Green-Wood’s future.
(Sold Out) Birding Basics
Birding is one of this country’s fastest growing hobbies, and there is no place better to enjoy it in Brooklyn than at Green-Wood! This two-part course will teach the beginner birder the why, where, how, and what of birding. With over 250 species of birds residing in, or passing through, the Big Apple every year, learn where to look for, and how to identify, many of the species in this diverse group of animals. Our second session will end with a walk through the Cemetery, applying some of the lessons learned in the classroom.
Cubans at Green-Wood
Since it opened in 1838, Green-Wood has been the resting place of myriad immigrant communities who made a new homes for themselves and their families in New York City. To honor this rich legacy, join Professor Lisandro Perez and Green-Wood Historian Jeff Richman for a special trolley tour exploring famed Cuban immigrants of the 19th century who count among the cemetery’s permanent residents. You will explore the mausoleum of sugar planter and refiner Miguel de Aldama, who sought to overthrow Spanish control of Cuba, and that of the Acea family, one of the wealthiest coffee-planting families on the island. Along the tour, your guides will share stories of politics, commercial enterprise, and tragedy relating to Cubans interred here.
(Sold Out) Dead Distillers Trolley Tour
Green-Wood is teaming up with our friends at Kings County Distillery to delve into the storied past of distilling in Brooklyn. The afternoon kicks off with a trolley tour of the cemetery’s “permanent residents” with whiskey connections, including the one and only casualty of the Brooklyn Whiskey Wars of the late 1860s and early 1870s. Afterward, the trolley will head to Kings County Distillery in the Brooklyn Navy Yard where visitors will see first-hand how whiskey is made and enjoy a tasting of four delectable varieties.
The Secret Mausoleum Club
Green-Wood Cemetery 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY, United StatesA peaceful hush falls over Green-Wood each night. In the darkness, centuries-old monuments stand guard over those laid to permanently rest within. This year, Atlas Obscura and Green-Wood Cemetery are collaborating to present The Secret Mausoleum Club, as we open the cemetery’s historic gates and selected mausoleums for an extraordinary series of after-hours explorations through history.
(Sold Out) Birding Basics
Birding is one of this country’s fastest growing hobbies, and there is no place better to enjoy it in Brooklyn than at Green-Wood! This two-part course will teach the beginner birder the why, where, how, and what of birding. With over 250 species of birds residing in, or passing through, the Big Apple every year, learn where to look for, and how to identify, many of the species in this diverse group of animals. Our second session will end with a walk through the Cemetery, applying some of the lessons learned in the classroom.
Historic Trolley Tours
Green-Wood Cemetery 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY, United StatesExperience the most magnificent and historic 478 acres in New York City. Join our expert tour guides to hear fascinating stories of Green-Wood’s permanent residents, see breathtaking views of Manhattan, tread where George Washington and his troops fought the Battle of Brooklyn, and much more.
Cremation: History and Modern Process
Green-Wood Cemetery 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY, United StatesWhat is cremation? How long have we been doing it, and how does it work? Amy Cunningham, death educator, leads this presentation of cremation's history and its impact on present-day and future funerals. This engaging and sometimes even light-hearted exploration will also touch on how to choose an end-of-life mode of disposition that expresses your own beliefs and values. Afterward, you will have the opportunity to visit the crematory with Gema LaBoccetta, Green-Wood's Crematory Manager, then chat with Amy and other attendees at a short reception.
Green-Wood’s public programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, as well as the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
