Built to Last: Green-Wood Cemetery | BK Stories

Summary

Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn, established in 1838, is a historic and scenic site spanning nearly 500 acres. With over 570,000 burials, it serves as both a final resting place and a space to celebrate the lives of those interred. Known for its beautiful architecture, nature, and history, Greenwood offers a range of experiences, from peaceful strolls through its arboretum to exploring its cultural heritage. As a designated New York City landmark, the cemetery preserves its legacy through careful restoration efforts, including its historic gates, chapel, and greenhouse, making it a unique and educational destination for visitors.

Takeaways

• 😀 Greenwood Cemetery is a 500-acre historic site with over 570,000 people buried there, offering both history and nature.
• 😀 It is a certified arboretum with winding pathways and a peaceful atmosphere, making it a unique escape from urban life.
• 😀 Greenwood serves not only as a burial site but as a public park and a place to enjoy nature, sculpture, and architecture.
• 😀 The cemetery was founded in 1838 as part of the Rural Cemetery movement, a shift from traditional churchyard cemeteries.
• 😀 In the 1850s, Greenwood became a popular destination for visitors who picnicked, helping to inspire the creation of Central Park.
• 😀 The cemetery was designated a New York City landmark in 2006 due to its exceptional sculpture collection and architecture.
• 😀 The Gothic Revival main gates of Greenwood, designed by Richard Upjohn, were among the city's first individual landmarks.
• 😀 The cemetery features a variety of architectural styles, with buildings like the chapel and the Fort Hamilton Parkway entrance.
• 😀 The historic greenhouse at Greenwood, built in 1895, is the last surviving Victorian greenhouse in New York City.
• 😀 Restoration efforts at Greenwood, such as the greenhouse and chapel, preserve its rich history while adapting it for modern use.

Q & A

What makes Greenwood Cemetery a special place?

Greenwood Cemetery is special due to its vast size, history, and its combination of natural beauty, historical significance, and architectural diversity. With over 570,000 people buried here across almost 500 acres, it serves as an arboretum, a historical landmark, and an open-air museum.

How does Greenwood Cemetery blend nature and history?

Greenwood Cemetery integrates nature with history through its lush landscapes, winding paths, and variety of trees, while also being a repository of stories, sculptures, monuments, and architectural designs. The cemetery functions as both a place of quiet reflection and an educational resource.

What role does the history of cemeteries play in the development of Greenwood?

Greenwood Cemetery was established as part of the Rural Cemetery movement, which shifted burial practices from churchyard cemeteries to open, publicly accessible parks. This movement originated in Paris and spread to the U.S., influencing the design of cemeteries like Greenwood to focus on nature and contemplation.

What is the significance of the term 'Rural Cemetery Movement'?

The Rural Cemetery Movement, starting in the early 19th century, marked a shift from burial in churchyards to cemeteries that were open to the public. These cemeteries, including Greenwood, were designed to be beautiful spaces for both mourning and enjoyment, with winding paths and natural landscapes.

What was the initial reaction to the concept of Greenwood Cemetery?

Initially, people were hesitant to embrace the idea of being buried in a non-denominational cemetery alongside people of different faiths. It took time to attract visitors, and to help, the cemetery hosted open houses, allowing people to picnic and enjoy the space, making it a public park and precursor to New York's Central Park.

How did Greenwood Cemetery influence the development of Central Park?

The popularity of Greenwood Cemetery, with half a million visitors annually by the 1850s, served as a model for the creation of Central Park. Proponents of Central Park used Greenwood as an example of how much people would appreciate a centrally located public park.

What architectural styles can be found at Greenwood Cemetery?

Greenwood Cemetery features a wide range of architectural styles, with examples from various periods including Gothic Revival, which was designed by Richard Upjohn for the main gates, as well as other styles that reflect the changing design trends from the 19th to the early 20th century.

What is the significance of the main gates of Greenwood Cemetery?

The main gates of Greenwood Cemetery, designed by Richard Upjohn, are a prominent example of Gothic Revival architecture. They symbolize the transition from the secular world to a peaceful, natural environment, reflecting the cemetery’s purpose of providing a serene place for reflection and the idea of resurrection.

How did the chapel at Greenwood Cemetery come to be restored?

The chapel at Greenwood Cemetery, designed by Warren and Wetmore, was sealed for over 20 years due to low demand for funeral services. In the early 2000s, it was reopened and repurposed for a variety of functions, including exhibitions, weddings, and dinners, following extensive restoration work.

What is the purpose of the Weird Greenhouse at Greenwood Cemetery?

The Weird Greenhouse, a Victorian-era structure at Greenwood Cemetery, was initially used for growing plants for the cemetery's floral arrangements. After years of neglect, it is being restored to serve as an exhibition space where visitors can learn about the history of the cemetery and its ongoing preservation efforts.