Historic Green-Wood Cemetery in Sunset Park, Brooklyn gets brand new visitor center

Thursday, April 16, 2026 6:26PM ET
SUNSET PARK, Brooklyn (WABC) -- One of the oldest and biggest cemeteries in the world, boasting 21 miles of land, is getting a new visitor center.

If you're wondering why a cemetery in New York City would need one, it's because Green-Wood Cemetery in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, is like no other.

"It's so rich, the history, it's almost too much to absorb by walking through," said Green-Wood Cemetery President Meera Joshi.

More than half a million people visit each year, and the new visitor center will be right across from the iconic archways leading into what is the final resting place for many notable people.

The most visited gravesite is the one for artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, who died in 1988.



"People visit Basquiat to remember how much we need to appreciate beauty and art as we have it because it can go away in a minute as well," Joshi said.

In the new exhibition gallery, you'll learn so much more.

Some of the artifacts are connected to those buried at Green-Wood, including the man who helped develop chewing gum, the man behind the curtain in "The Wizard of Oz," three firefighters from Ladder Company 118 who died on 9-11, and John Matthews.

"He invented seltzer, the origin of all of our soda water," Meera said.

Matthews passed away in 1870.



The anchor of the center, a greenhouse, was once owned but the Weir family that was a flower shop. It now features a detailed tile map of the cemetery on the floor.

"Now, we can actually provide people the full depth of programming and information and guided tours they really need and want," Meera said.

Founded in 1838, at the time, the cemetery was the area's first park-like green space. It's where folks would come to escape the buzz of the city.

The center opens to the public this weekend as Green-Wood celebrates its 188th anniversary.



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