The Green-Wood Cemetery, one the truly great cemeteries in the United States, was founded in 1838, inspired by Mount Auburn Cemetery at Cambridge, Massachusetts, the first cemetery in the United States designed in the rural cemetery style as a park-like setting with broad avenues and paths. Green-Wood Cemetery is nearly 500 acres and has over 600,000 burials within its gates.
The soaring Belleville brownstone gates were designed by Richard Upjohn and constructed in 1861. The gates are designed in the Gothic Revival style, characterized by pointed arches, steep roofs, and decorative elements such as gargoyles, pinnacles, and tracery.
Raising of Lazarus by John M. Moffitt
John M. Moffitt sculpted New Testament scenes that include the Raising of Lazarus, the Biblical story that tells of Jesus raising Lazarus after he had been buried for four days (John 11:1-4).
Gravely Speaking 
I love this cemetery! I was able to visit a couple of years ago with a friend who lives in Brooklyn. Of course, my camera broke while we were there. Perhaps some spirits didn’t want me disturbing them with my photo taking. We also got lost, witnessed the green parrots of Brooklyn, and saw a dying raccoon. Wild experience.
Here is something to add to your “(Kick the) Bucket List”: a one-of-a-kind tour for you and your friends at Green-Wood Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark in Brooklyn.
The Gay Graves Tour will introduce you to the famous and the not-so-famous gay men and lesbians who are among the permanent residents at Green-Wood. The Gay Graves Tour is conducted entirely on foot; the amount of hilly territory covered makes this a vigorous hiking tour. Think of it as a Haunted Hiking Tour!
Beginning at the fabulous Victorian Gothic gate to Green-Wood, we visit the final resting places of four composers: Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Leonard Bernstein, Paul Jabara and Fred Ebb, as well as those of the groundbreaking lesbian artists, Violet Oakley and Emma Stebbins.
Amid centuries-old trees, fabulous works of art, and bucolic surroundings enjoy a fascinating dose of gay history, New York history and U.S. history during this unique tour.
The Gay Graves Tour will be conducted on
Sunday, October 5th and Sunday, October 12th
Beginning promptly at 11 AM at
Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 25th St. at Fifth Ave., Brooklyn (The 25th St. R train stop is only 1 block from Green-Wood. From Manhattan & Queens, ride the express Q train to DeKalb Ave., Brooklyn, changing there to a local R train.)
The price $30/person. Telephone # 917-734-1223
For details and to buy tickets, please visit http://walkaboutny.com/the-tours/the-gay-graves-tour/
Eager to see you on the tour, Phil, your guide