historicgreenwood

As the leaves crinkle underfoot, breathe in deeply and feel refreshed. Thank you for visiting, friends. 📸 @andyrosscreative #historicgreenwood #greenwoodcemetery

America’s first matinee idol and international music superstar? That’d be none other than Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869). At the age of just 12, Gottschalk departed his home city of New Orleans for Paris, where the virtuosic composer and pianist studied his craft and soon became an international sensation. Heralded “America’s first authentic musical voice,” Gottschalk died on December 18, 1869. He is memorialized at Green-Wood with a stunning statue, “Angel of Music,” by sculptors Giancarlo Biagi and Jill Burkee. (Lot 19581, Sec. M/N) #historicgreenwood #greenwoodcemetery

Before you can don the hardhat and climb the scaffolding to learn about masonry restoration alongside our own director of restoration and preservation, @brooklyn_conservator, you have to attend the info session! It’s the first step to learning about BRIDGE TO CRAFTS CAREERS, the 10-week paid training program for New Yorkers ages 18 to 30 that teaches how to restore and preserve historic structures made of marble, granite, and brownstone. This program, presented with @obtjobs @worldmonumentsfund, prepares you for entry-level positions in historic preservation, stone restoration, and associated trades. A rewarding profession awaits, with The Green-Wood Cemetery is your classroom and workshop. VIRTUAL INFO SESSIONS for potential candidates are held every Thursday in December at 10am and 2pm ET via Zoom. Advance registration is required; tap the link in our bio for more information. #historicgreenwood #greenwoodcemetery #preservation #conservation #restoration #buildingtrades

“... one of the most barbarous and brutal homicides that has ever disgraced this City,” wrote the @nytimes following the death of Nicholas W. Duryea on December 16, 1872. On “ordinarily quiet and business-like Liberty Street,” in Lower Manhattan, Duryea was seen quarreling with one John Simmons. The altercation turned physical and, after tossing one another to the ground, onlookers told reporters they saw “something bright” in Simmons’ hand. As he plunged his knife into Duryea’s body, he is quoted by bystanders as saying to his victim, “Now I’ve got the best of you.” Nicholas Duryea is interred at Green-Wood in Lot 15252, Sec. 162. #historicgreenwood #greenwoodcemetery

Gabriel Harrison (1818–1902) was a man of many talents: a pioneering daguerreian who made photographic images celebrated throughout his life, a skilled painter who produced portraits of friends and landscapes, and an actor. Harrison became enthralled by theater after moving to New York in the 1820s and joined an amateur acting group called the American Histrionic Society. He earned the moniker “father of drama in Brooklyn'' after serving as secretary of the Brooklyn Academy of Design. Harrison died on December 15, 1902, and can be found at Lot 8269, Sec. 23. #historicgreenwood #greenwoodcemeteryneworleans

The stereoviews in The Green-Wood Historic Fund Collections are an endless source of wonderment, showing us how New Yorkers, excited with the new technology of stereoscopic photography, engaged with and experienced the Cemetery grounds. One man’s work appears more than most: Edward Anthony (1819-1888) who, along with his brother, Henry, was an early pioneer in this exciting new thing called “photography”! Here’s a selection of some of our favorite images by Edward, who died #OnThisDate December 4, 1888. Published by the brothers’ company, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. of New York. #historicgreenwood #greenwoodcemetery

Precise and meticulous, subtle and significant—so has been described the work of painter and Green-Wood permanent resident John Frederick Kensett (1816-1872), a celebrated figure of the Hudson River School, who died #OnThisDate in 1872. Kensett’s ascent was rapid, due to his innate talent: he was a member of the National Academy of Design as well as the prestigious Century Club, and one of the founders and trustees of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In Kensett’s richly painted work, one sees the inspiration of Thomas Cole; his paintings’ tranquility and simplicity reflect the influence of Asher B. Durand (also a Green-Wood resident!). His passing at the age of fifty-six was considered virtually a national tragedy—Kensett had represented a kind of artistic epitome in landscape painting. ✏️ words adapted from National Gallery of Art @ngadc; 📸 Kensett’s monument, located in Lot 20973, Sec. 153. #historicgreenwood #greenwoodcemetery

Tag three friends who have flocked to Green-Wood with you through this past year of public programming. 📸 @erabeck #historicgreenwood #greenwoodcemetery

The family name Garretson may not immediately conjure historical connections, but Wanamaker likely will! #OnThisDate, William Channing Garretson (1841-1924), an extended member of the prestigious Philadelphia mercantile family, died. He is buried in the family plot of Lewis C. Wanamaker, a relative of successful merchant John Wanamaker. The reverse of the monument here at Green-Wood names those buried in the lot and provides a helpful outline of their relations, noting that William was the husband of the sister of the first wife of Lewis, of the family Wanamaker. #historicgreenwood #greenwoodcemetery

The early morning light fills the sky, along with overwintering waterfowl, nuthatches, woodpeckers, sparrows, finches, and any half-hardy birds that decided to stick around as the temperatures drop! Join us for BIRDING IN PEACE this Sunday, December 15th, at 7:15am (link in bio to register; your last opportunity to enjoy the $5 discount). Before the gates have even opened to the general public, birding expert Rob Jett will lead a peaceful early morning walking tour to discover the many birds that call Green-Wood home. Bring your binoculars and cameras (and please tag @historicgreenwood so we can all appreciate the feathered friends you encounter! 📸 @erabeck #historicgreenwood #greenwoodcemetery #urbanbirding #birding

Many very good doggos adorn the monuments of their owners here at Green-Wood, but giving man’s best friend a monument all their own is a cut above! It was on this date in 1881 that Fannie, the Howe family’s beloved pug dog, died. The loving inscription on Fannie’s monument reads: Only a dog do you say, Sir Critic? Only a dog, but as truth I prize, The truest love I have won in living Lay in the deeps of her limpid eyes. Frosts of winter nor heat of summer Could make her fail if my footsteps led: And memory holds in its treasure casket The name of my darling who lieth dead. #historicgreenwood #greenwoodcemetery #dogsofinstagram #verygooddog

Watching @brooklyn_conservator in her workshop is like watching careful choreography. One inch to the right, four inches to the left, and two pieces are brought back together. Just one step in the long and thoughtful process of monument restoration. Ever see what our director of restoration and preservation, Neela Wickremesinghe, and her crew are working on and think “I’d love to learn that trade”? You can! Tap our link in bio to learn more about the masonry restoration training program for 18 to 30 year olds, in partnership with @obtjobs @worldmonumentsfund. First virtual info session is this Thursday, December 12th. #historicgreenwood #greenwoodcemetery