Trolley Tour

Discover the curious world of nineteenth-century mediums, magicians, and spiritualists in New York's foremost Victorian-era cemetery, Green-Wood. With a focus on the evolution and legacy of Spiritualism, this eye-opening trolley tour explores the era's obsession to commune with the dead and how this desire influenced entertainment, feminism, science, and technology. This tour is led by Andrea Janes, owner and founder of Boroughs of the Dead.

Green-Wood celebrates LGBT History month with a special trolley tour illuminating permanent residents who have made a lasting impact on American culture in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. You will visit the graves of important LGBT figures including “It’s Raining Men” co-writer, Paul Jabara; sculptor of Central Park’s Bethesda Fountain, Emma Stebbins; activists and founders of the Hetrick Martin Institute, Drs. Emery Hetrick and Damien Martin, among others. This trolley tour is led by Andrew Dolkart and Ken Lustbader, Co-Directors of the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project.

Many distinguished and noteworthy New Yorkers found their permanent residences at Green-Wood in the nineteenth century; it was the place to be buried. Among them, however, are also those whose reputations are not as admirable, including Fanny White, famed New York City courtesan and brothel manager; Emma Cunningham, who was tried for the murder of society dentist, Harvey Burdell (he was strangled and stabbed fifteen times) amidst rumors of greed, lust, and depravity; and the Dublin-born Kitty Terry, who ran away to Liverpool at fifteen where two high-end con men and thieves courted her and together formed a romantic triplet. Expert tour guide Ruth Edebohls will share tales of their alleged misdeeds and unscrupulous behavior.

A perennial favorite! Get into the autumnal mood and enjoy a cool, crisp day exploring Green-Wood’s beautiful fall foliage. Historian Jeff Richman will lead this popular tour filled with tales of murder, mayhem, spirits, and the utterly bizarre. Visit the graves of The Wizard of Oz (actor, Frank Morgan), George Washington’s favorite dentist, the somewhat shady originator of Spiritualism, and many more. You’ll even get to tour Green-Wood’s Catacombs, which are usually closed to the public.