We understand: Visiting a cemetery may not be everyone’s idea of a perfect afternoon. Brooklyn’s cemeteries, however, are actually some of the most peaceful green spaces in the borough, and ideal sites for exploring Brooklyn’s history. Following are five of Brooklyn’s most fascinating cemeteries, where you can check out some famous grave sites and, according to legend, maybe even see a ghost or two.
Cypress Hills Cemetery, Veteran’s Day | via Facebook
Cypress Hills Cemetery (Cypress Hills)
Cypress Hills Cemetery, spanning 225 acres of Brooklyn and Queens, was the first non-sectarian/non-denominational cemetery established in either borough. It opened in 1848 as a park-like destination with richly wooded hills, a lake, and sweeping views of New York and Long Island.
In 1862, a section of the cemetery was designated as the Cypress Hills National Cemetery, a military burial ground for soldiers of the Civil War. The cemetery is also home to two three-story mausoleums, built in 1931 and 1936, which retain original features such as stained glass windows and an immaculate chapel. (more…)