PAST EVENTS
Community Halloween Event
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Join us for a family Community Halloween Event! Wear your spookiest costume to explore the beautiful grounds of the Evergreens Cemetery on a horse-drawn hayride. Enjoy a petting zoo,magician, and candy.
Open House New York (OHNY) Weekend
Saturday, October 19, 2019
The Evergreens Cemetery, a historic cemetery in the 'rural' style, was incorporated in 1849 and covers 225 acres. It was designed by notable landscape architect Andrew Jackson Downing. Over 500,000 people are buried here, including notables such as tap legend Bill ""Bojangles"" Robinson, jazz musician Lester Young, and painter Martin Heade.
Guide James Henry will lead a tour focused on the variety of architectural styles represented in the mausoleums and grave markers, including a visit to the community mausoleum and the receiving vault (which is normally closed to the public). Guests will also visit the Victorian Gothic Revival chapel designed by Alexander Jackson Davis in 1849/1850 that now serves as the cemetery office. This part of the tour will focus on the recently completed restorations of the chapel.
Photo courtesy of Yuri Pires Tavares
Tree Stories at The Evergreens Cemetery
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Join us for a guided tree tour of the Evergreens Cemetery. Enjoy the spectacular fall foliage as we explore the grounds of the cemetery and learn to identify a variety of tree species. We will also hear fascinating stories and lore relating to various tree species. Participants will learn the answers to questions such as: "Why is a London plane from London? What does a sassafras have to do with sassafras tea? Why is the gum of a black gum black and the gum of a sweetgum sweet? How do you open a hickory nut and which ones would you want to open? What is the tastiest oak in the East?" and many more.
This tree walk with noted arborist and author William Bryant Logan mixes lore, history, science and recipes to make a memorable 90 minutes in one of our great urban forests.
Stargazing with The Amateur Astronomers Association of New York
Friday, September 13, 2019
Come observe and learn about the stars with members of the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York. This stargazing event offers the rare opportunity for attendees to observe the night sky in an area relatively free of glare from the lights of the city. Members bring high-powered telescopes and binoculars through which everyone is invited to look, and and will provide instruction on how to find objects in the night sky.
Photo courtesy of Stan Honda
Brewers Row: The Beer Barons of Bushwick at The Evergreens Cemetery with Atlas Obscura Society New York
Sunday, July 14, 2019
Brooklyn was the center of the American brewing industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and Bushwick formed the heart of this thriving industry, with more breweries than any other part of Brooklyn.
On this tour, we will learn about the lives of these beer barons as we walk down "Brewers Row," where several notable beer barons are entombed in lavish mausoleums. We will learn about a brewer whose elaborate Egyptian Revival mausoleum was inspired by the discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922, and hear the tale of a successful brewer whose business survived prohibition, only to be destroyed by labor unrest. We will visit the grave of the owners of a "mom-and-pop" brewery whose famous nearby mansion is now a designated City Landmark, and speculate about the mysterious death of a brewer who may have been the victim of a serial arsonist.
Hidden History Stroll: Walking Tour of The Evergreens
Saturday, May 25, 2019
Saturday, June 15, 2019
We will explore the winding paths of the Evergreens Cemetery on a walking tour led by James Henry. We will visit the gravesites of notable residents -- who reflect the racial and religious diversity of New York City -- including artists, actors, musicians and entertainers as well as some controversial personalities. We will learn about Victorian funerary symbols and styles as well as secret societies and their mysterious memorials. The tour will also include a trip inside our normally ‘off-limits’ Receiving Vault as well as other surprises.
Brewers Row: The Beer Barons of Bushwick at The Evergreens Cemetery with Atlas Obscura Society New York
Sunday, May 5, 2019
Brooklyn was the center of the American brewing industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and Bushwick formed the heart of this thriving industry, with more breweries than any other part of Brooklyn.
On this tour, we will learn about the lives of these beer barons as we walk down "Brewers Row," where several notable beer barons are entombed in lavish mausoleums. We will learn about a brewer whose elaborate Egyptian Revival mausoleum was inspired by the discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922, and hear the tale of a successful brewer whose business survived prohibition, only to be destroyed by labor unrest. We will visit the grave of the owners of a "mom-and-pop" brewery whose famous nearby mansion is now a designated City Landmark, and speculate about the mysterious death of a brewer who may have been the victim of a serial arsonist.
Arbor Day Celebration
Saturday, April 27, 2019
We will hold a family-friendly arbor day event to learn about trees at the Evergreens, including a tree climbing demonstration by a professional arborist, tree identification walk, information and information on regional tree invasive species, tree and flower planting, and art activities.
Third Annual Easter Eggstravaganza
Saturday, April 13, 2019
Join us for an Easter egg hunt, a visit from the Easter Bunny, petting zoo, and a magic show.