A Comprehensive Field Guide to New York City Area Cemeteries and Their Notable Residents: Uncovering the Hidden History of the Dead

New York City, a vibrant metropolis with a rich and multifaceted history, is not just home to the living, but also to numerous cemeteries that hold the remains of some of the city's most notable and influential figures.

Stories in Stone: New York: A Field Guide to New York City Area Cemeteries & Their Residents

by Alexandra Witze

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	27731 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	269 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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This field guide will take you on a journey through the most significant cemeteries in the New York City area, introducing you to their notable residents and uncovering the stories that lie beneath their tombstones. These burial grounds are not only places of rest for the departed but also living repositories of the city's past, offering a glimpse into the lives and times of those who shaped its destiny.

Green-Wood Cemetery

Located in the heart of Brooklyn, Green-Wood Cemetery is a picturesque 478-acre oasis that is home to over 560,000 graves. Established in 1838, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious cemeteries in the United States.

Green-Wood Cemetery is the final resting place of a vast array of notable figures, including artists, writers, musicians, politicians, and industrialists. Among its most famous residents are:

• Leonard Bernstein, the renowned composer and conductor
• Boss Tweed, the infamous political boss
• Jean-Michel Basquiat, the pioneering graffiti artist
• Horace Greeley, the founder of the New York Tribune
• Henry Ward Beecher, the abolitionist and minister

Woodlawn Cemetery

Situated in the Bronx, Woodlawn Cemetery is another sprawling necropolis that boasts a wealth of notable residents. Established in 1863, it encompasses 400 acres of rolling hills and tranquil gardens.

Woodlawn Cemetery is particularly renowned for its impressive collection of mausoleums, many of which are architectural masterpieces. Some of the most notable individuals buried here include:

• Herman Melville, the author of Moby-Dick
• Miles Davis, the legendary jazz musician
• F. Scott Fitzgerald, the celebrated novelist
• Duke Ellington, the iconic jazz pianist and composer
• Irving Berlin, the prolific songwriter

Trinity Church Cemetery

Nestled in the heart of Lower Manhattan, Trinity Church Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in the United States. Established in 1697, it is the final resting place of many of New York City's founding fathers and other notable figures.

Some of the most prominent individuals buried at Trinity Church Cemetery include:

• Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury
• John Jacob Astor, the wealthy fur trader and real estate developer
• Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat
• Clement Clarke Moore, the author of "A Visit from St. Nicholas"
• William Bradford, the first governor of the Plymouth Colony

These are just a few of the many cemeteries in the New York City area that offer a glimpse into the city's rich history. By visiting these burial grounds, you can explore the lives and legacies of some of the most notable figures who shaped the city we know today.

So whether you're a history buff, a lover of art and architecture, or simply curious about the hidden stories of New York City, be sure to add these cemeteries to your list of must-visit destinations.