William F. Mangels is a fascinating figure: a pioneer of amusement rides and shooting galleries. His factory was in Coney Island, many of his rides were in the amusement parks there (though they are still found everywhere), and he is interred at Green-Wood in section 130, lot 37995. Here’s what I wrote about Mangels in … Read more
We have an event planned for Green-Wood this Saturday, commemorating the Valentine’s Day of 1884, when, tragically, both Theodore Roosevelt’s wife, Alice (pictured above, with Theodore as a young man), and mother, Martha (shown here), died of disease. Roosevelt, a New York State Assemblyman at the time, was crushed. In fact, he wrote in his … Read more
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