This Gothic Cemetery in Brooklyn is So Beautiful, It Launched America’s Public Park Movement in the 1800s

Green-Wood Cemetery, New York

Green-Wood Cemetery is a large burial ground in Brooklyn that started in 1838. It covers 478 acres of hilly land with trees, plants, monuments, and fancy tombs.

The cemetery is both a National Historic Landmark and a working cemetery where people still get buried today. Many New Yorkers and tourists visit to walk the grounds, see the architecture, and learn about history.

Green-Wood Was Once More Popular Than Niagara Falls

Back in the 1800s, New York City’s churchyards were getting too crowded.

Green-Wood offered a peaceful place outside the city for burials when Brooklyn was still its own city. The cemetery was designed like a beautiful natural park, and by the 1850s, it was as popular as Niagara Falls for tourists.

Its success even gave city planners ideas for other urban green spaces across America.

Famous People Who Are Buried Here

Many famous Americans are buried at Green-Wood. You’ll find composer Leonard Bernstein, artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, inventor Samuel Morse, and political boss William “Boss” Tweed here.

There are also lots of Civil War generals and baseball pioneer Henry Chadwick, whose monument includes baseball equipment.

All told, about 600,000 people are buried here, including many important New Yorkers from the 1800s and early 1900s.

The Gothic Gate Is On The Historic Register

The main entrance gate is a Gothic Revival masterpiece designed in 1861 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Throughout the cemetery, you can see elaborate family tombs in styles ranging from Egyptian Revival to Classical and Victorian Gothic.

Stone angels, detailed carvings, and ornate headstones create what feels like an outdoor museum of memorial art spanning two centuries.

A Peaceful Corner of Brooklyn

Despite being in busy Brooklyn, Green-Wood feels like a nature retreat. The cemetery has over 7,000 trees, some dating back to when it opened.

Spring brings spectacular blooms from cherry trees, magnolias, and dogwoods, painting the grounds with color. Four ponds dot the landscape, along with hills and valleys that wildlife calls home.

The First Major Revolutionary War Battle Happened Here

Green-Wood sits on land where part of the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Brooklyn happened on August 27, 1776. This was the first major battle after America declared independence and the largest of the war.

Battle Hill inside the cemetery is Brooklyn’s highest natural point at 220 feet above sea level. From here, you can see amazing views of New York Harbor, Manhattan, and the Statue of Liberty.

Tropical Parakeets Live At The Main Gate

The quiet, varied landscape makes it perfect for both local and migrating birds. Over 185 bird species have been spotted here, including hawks and owls.

One of the oddest sights is the colony of bright green monk parakeets living at the main entrance. These tropical birds, descendants of ones that escaped from JFK airport in the 1960s, have become one of the cemetery’s quirky claims to fame.

They Keep Records Going Back To The 1800s

If you’re researching family history, their on-site services can help you find graves and information about people buried there.

Many historical records have been digitized, making them easier to access for researchers and family members. The cemetery regularly hosts workshops and events for people interested in genealogy and historical research.

It’s Surrounded by Other Great Brooklyn Spots

Prospect Park, designed by the same team that created Central Park, is just a short distance away. The Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Botanic Garden are worth visiting too. Industry City offers food, shopping, and events in renovated industrial buildings.

The cemetery borders the vibrant neighborhoods of Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, and Sunset Park with its diverse food scene.

Visiting Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn NY

• Address: 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232
• Hours: Main Entrance (25th Street and 5th Avenue) open daily 8 AM to 5 PM, with longer hours in summer
• Admission: Free entry. Guided trolley tours cost $30 per person, running Saturdays from 1 PM to 3 PM

Remember this is an active cemetery. No jogging, biking, picnicking, or dog-walking allowed. Personal photography is fine, but commercial shoots need permission.