In August 1776, the American Revolution was on the verge of a disastrous end. General Washington found his troops outmanned and outmaneuvered at the Battle of Brooklyn, fought on land now part of Green-Wood. But thanks to a single heroic regiment, known as the “Immortal 400,” Washington was able to evacuate his men and they lived to fight another day.

Patrick O’Donnell, bestselling military historian, tells this story in his new book, Washington’s Immortals. In Green-Wood’s Historic Chapel O’Donnell will discuss the 1st Maryland Regiment, whose actions in many key battles changed the course of history. Using primary sources including letters, diaries, and pension applications, O’Donnell pieces together the stories of these brave men and, in the process, the larger story of the revolution.

We’re teaming up with Brooklyn Public Library to share your Brooklyn memories with the world! Objects from our past can help tell a greater story about our city, but many of these items may be sitting, forgotten, in apartments and basements all over the borough. Our Streets, Our Stories encourages Brooklynites to dig out these items! Bring your old photographs, fliers or documents - anything that tells the story of Brooklyn and its residents. How does it work? In Green-Wood’s Historic Chapel, Library staff will scan your item while you wait. They’ll give it back to you right away, along with a flash drive containing a high resolution copy of your item. Each scanned item will be added to the library’s collection, and just like that your own past will become part of the larger history of the borough of Brooklyn. By contributing and sharing your materials, you are influencing how your neighborhood, and city, will be remembered!

What is cremation? How long have we been doing it, and how does it work? Is it the right choice for you or your family? Amy Cunningham leads this tour of cremation’s history and its impact on the present and future of funerals. You’ll learn about the earliest known cremation in Australia 32 thousand years ago, the pagan cremations in ancient Rome, and how Judaism’s consistent objection to cremation led to 1,500 years of Christian burial. Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, Madame Helena Blavatsky, Jessica Mitford, Ann Landers and Reverend Billy Graham will all make appearances in this engaging, sometimes jolly talk. You’ll also learn how to choose an end-of-life mode of disposition that expresses your own beliefs and values. After the talk, you will tour Green-Wood’s crematory with a member of the crematory staff, and enjoy the chance for discussions and questions at a short reception.

Brooklyn Historical Society’s Hidden Brooklyn tours give you an insider’s peek into fascinating, off-the-grid, or little-known corners of the borough. In this installment, join Green-Wood President Richard Moylan as he takes you behind-the-scenes in the Green-Wood offices, to view an impressive art collection featuring paintings by and portraits of Green-Wood permanent residents.

On her podcast Death, Sex & Money, Anna Sale talks with writers, actors, adventurers - and everyday people - about some intensely personal topics. She gets her guests to open up about things that we tend to worry about often but openly discuss much less frequently - including death. For this year's first installment of Common Shade, we'll welcome Anna to Green-Wood's Historic Chapel and get her to do the talking. Common Shade host Evan Michelson will sit down with Anna to discuss her podcast, the allure of those tough topics, and her own experiences with life's (and death's) inevitabilities. Questions and discussion from the audience will follow.