History Happy Hour: A Grave Concern—Body Snatching Through the Ages

Once a burial takes place, it’s all about resting in peace for eternity, right? That wasn’t always the case! In the nineteenth century, there was a demand by medical schools for cadavers so doctors and students could study human anatomy. The shockingly profitable “resurrection” business was created by grave robbers to fulfill the needs of medical schools by stealing bodies in the middle of the night. Fortunately, Green-Wood’s extensive records do not indicate any such thievery on our grounds, but other New York City burial sites were not so lucky! Join us for a look into the history of grave robbing in New York City and to learn about a few of Green-Wood’s permanent residents who may have dug up a body… or two. The conversation will span from the European “mummy craze” to Colonial grave robbings to the ghastly methods of resurrectionists and the anti-doctor riots spurred by their trade.

While we can’t actually bring the bar or the drinks to you, we can offer some history on tap! Bring your own beverage–why not try our recommended cocktail of the evening–and raise a glass to the past as we stay connected through our latest series, History Happy Hour.

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