“Death Becomes Her”–at The Met

“Death Becomes Her–A Century of Mourning Attire,” is now on display at The Metropolitan Museum. Running through February 1, 2015, it displays extraordinary mourning costumes, mostly for women, and related accessories, which were in use for the century between 1815 and 1915. These are mostly high end outfits–courtesy of the Met’s Costume Institute. Many of … Read more

SHEET MUSIC FOR “LIFT EV’RY VOICE AND SING” BY JAMES WELDON JOHNSON AND JOHN ROSAMOND JOHNSON, 1973

“Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” also known as the “Negro National Anthem” and the official song of the NAACP, was written by Green-Wood resident and civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938). A prominent figure of the Harlem Renaissance, Johnson was a novelist, songwriter and poet. This famous song, which made its debut in 1900, was a collaboration between James and his brother, John Rosamond Johnson. James was the lyricist, and his brother composed the music. The Johnson brothers are pictured on the cover of this 1973 version of the sheet music.

Spreading the Word, One BRIC at a Time

Last week, Chelsea Dowell, Green-Wood’s manager of programs and membership, and I went over to the studios of Brooklyn Independent Media (BRIC) to shoot a live segment about the cemetery. Shot at BRIC’s Arts Media House, corner of Fulton Street and Rockwell Place, “BK LIVE,” is a one hour show about Brooklyn, broken into four … Read more

MISS CORSON’S COOKING MANUAL OF PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR ECONOMINAL EVERY-DAY COOKING BY JULIET CORSON, 1877

Juliet Corson (1842-1897) was a pioneering cooking instructor and cookbook author of the late nineteenth century. Greatly affected by the plight of the working poor, she recognized the difficulty of providing one’s family with proper nutrition on a strict budget. Corson devoted herself to the study of cooking, developing recipes that were both inexpensive and healthy. Pictured above is a copy of Corson’s Cooking Manual of Practical Directions for Economical Everyday Cooking, in which she declares “This book is intended for the use of those housekeepers and cooks who wish to know how to make the most wholesome and palatable dishes at the least possible cost.”

Spectacular Fall Foliage

Green-Wood is indeed a place for all seasons. This year has been a wonderfully colorful fall at Green-Wood. Here are a few images that I shot yesterday. I thought I might have been a bit late going out, but it really was spectacular. If you have a chance to get out on the grounds this … Read more

GREEN-WOOD CEMETERY’S ACT OF INCORPORATION, 1838

Henry Evelyn Pierrepont (1808-1888) conceived of the idea for Green-Wood Cemetery in the early 1830s, envisioning an area amid the picturesque hills of Brooklyn, to serve those in the New York City area with natural and serene burial space. By 1838, Pierrepont’s vision finally became a reality. On April 18, 1838, The New York State Legislature passed an Act of Incorporation, declaring that “The Green-Wood Cemetery” was established “for the purpose of establishing a public burial ground in the City of Brooklyn.” Pictured here is the original founding document.

CARTE-DE-VISITE OF ACTRESS KATE CLAXTON BY NAPOLEON SARONY, 1875

This Carte-de-Visite photograph was taken by eminent photographer and Green-Wood resident Napoleon Sarony (1821-1896). It captures famed 19th-century actress Kate Claxton (1848-1924), also a Green-Wood resident, in her signature role as Louise in “The Two Orphans”. Sarony pioneered the unique idea to replicate key moments of the theater by photographing actors in full costume, in a theatrical setting. “The Two Orphans” was one of the first plays he staged for photography. Shown here, Sarony captures the homeless Louise caught in a snowstorm.