No, really. Years ago, it was, for a time, the second most popular tourist attraction in the United States.
In Brooklyn, a borough of New York City, you are not that far from the skyscrapers of Manhattan but in many ways, it is a different world. Many tourists never venture from the canyons of midtown Manhattan. They should.
They should come to Brooklyn, once a major city itself.
In its midst, there is a green gem that must be experienced to get the true experience of New York City. Today, we visit the final home of many of its most famous residents.
There are two types of people - those who love to visit cemeteries when they are in a city, and those who are totally spooked by the thought.
I am one of the former, and today, I'd like to show you a National Historic Landmark in the heart of Brooklyn.
Green-Wood Cemetery was founded in 1838. As its website explains:
"By the early 1860s, it had earned an international reputation for its magnificent beauty and became the prestigious place to be buried, attracting 500,000 visitors a year, second only to Niagara Falls as the nation’s greatest tourist attraction. Crowds flocked there to enjoy family outings, carriage rides, and sculpture viewing in the finest of first generation American landscapes. Green-Wood’s popularity helped inspire the creation of public parks, including New York City’s Central and Prospect Parks."
Come enter its gates.
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| Tranquility Garden |
There are also, well, graves. Graves such as those of Louis Comfort Tiffany.
And composer (think "West Side Story" and a lot more) Leonard Bernstein.
Death, after all, is part of life. That's what we tell ourselves. But one day, we will all face it.
Like sands through the hourglass, so are the Days of our Lives.
"G" day on the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.
A truly beautiful and captivating place. I would love to take a stroll there...
ReplyDeletethat entry statement is absolutely fantastic! there are so many places that I don't know exist and I love it when I see one as gorgeous as this - the dead people are lucky to live there :) Leanne @ cresting the hill
ReplyDeleteThat is stunning. I'd never visited cemeteries until I went to Russia. Amazing what some folks do for loved ones in death.
ReplyDeleteBeen a long time since I thought about this place. Thanks for the memories.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place, Alana! So glad you showed us a place we wouldn't have known about, otherwise!Will visit when I'm there next time. Esha @ http://bit.ly/1VDXblj
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place Alana! Your opening line was a classic and so was the last line...Like sands through the hourglass, so are the Days of our Lives.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this.
@KalaRavi16 from
Relax-N-Rave
That's gorgeous! They don't build cemeteries, mausoleums, or churches like they used to. I like to wander through old cemeteries. The newer ones seem very... sterile... by comparison. All the headstones the same sizes, laser cut, no fresh flowers allowed... they have so little character left. I want to be cremated and scattered via Parasail off the coast of Daytona Beach. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, the tranquility garden is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI never heard of the Green Wood cemetery. I'm from Niagara Falls and had no idea that the Green Wood was the second largest tourist attraction! That's a neat bit of trivia there.
Michele at Angels Bark
Wow. That looks like quite the place. My father once took me to a cemetery to see the Foucault pendulum that was housed there. Such cool things you can find.
ReplyDeleteWell, now I'm dying to go there! Great opening line, Alana...we're funny...and some might think we are weird for spending time...before our time...at cemeteries. Yep, we are definitely related as 'Cemetery Sisters.' Great Letter 'G' post.
ReplyDeleteSue at CollectInTexas Gal
Those gates are fabulous examples of Gothic architecture! I love visiting old cemeteries and would definitely enjoy exploring this one.
ReplyDeleteI don't really understand this fascination with cemeteries. I've visited Arlington three times and have always come away feeling really very sad. It was beautiful though and very peaceful but at some level very disturbing
ReplyDeleteWow. Absolutely stunning. I too enjoy strolling through old cemeteries. I have photos from cemeteries in places all over - from New Orleans, LA to Evansville, IN to Brunswick, GA to places in Europe.
ReplyDeleteBut I too want to be cremated. :)
Great photos!
@dSavannahCreate from
dSavannahRambles
#AtoZChallenge2016 theme: dSavannah Defects
Stunning architecture. I never knew this cemetery existed and now I learn it's the nation's second greatest tourist attraction. I'm learning about so many amazing and interesting topics during this challenge. I love cemeteries. I developed my interest when living in New Orleans. It's hard not to when the graves are all above ground. I guess with so many other things to do in New York, people often get sidetracked and overlook some of the most fascinating attractions. I'm glad I now know about Green-Wood Cemetery. My next trip to NY will include an excursion to Brooklyn for a visit. I hope you are enjoying the challenge.
ReplyDeleteWow, wonderful photos Alana!
ReplyDeletewow the architecture looks fantastic. :D Great Photos.
ReplyDeleteA Whimsical Medley
Twinkle Eyed Traveller
Beautiful images! I'm planning a trip to NYC for the summer, so I may to have to make a stop there… :) Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool cemetery. My plan is to be cremated and my ashes spread somewhere I love. Haven't decided on that yet. I would like to check this place out sometime.
ReplyDelete