The Green-Wood Cemetery is a 478-acre cemetery, arboretum, historic landmark and public art space. Founded in 1838 Green-Wood offers unique, standards-based programs that will captivate students in grades 3K through 12 in Brooklyn’s most unique outdoor classroom!
Bring your class to the gravesites of influential, fascinating, and unsung witnesses to history; explore trees and wildlife environmental education programs; or sketch and analyze the distinctive art and architecture that covers our grounds.
Explore program options below (or browse our school programs brochure) and click the red button here when you’re ready to start booking!
Programs (click to expand)
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Great Trees of Green-Wood Sensory Walk (Walking Program, 3K–2nd Grade)
Young naturalists use sight, sound, touch, and smell to safely discover the different parts of a tree and their functions.
Frozen in Time: Discovering Green-Wood’s Glacial Past (Trolley Program, 3K through 5)
Students learn to spot signs of the Wisconsin Glacier that created Green-Wood’s landscape 18,000 years ago and how weather patterns affect our landscape today.
Bird Behaviors and Adaptations (Walking Program and Trolley Program, 3K–5th Grade)
Observe and learn to identify common and rare birds that frequent Green-Wood, collecting data on the different ways they communicate and survive.
Investigating Insects (Walking Program, 3K–5th Grade)
Students learn where to find and how to safely interact with insects and other arthropods that live at Green-Wood, while exploring the roles they each play in the ecosystem.
Trees in the Urban Forest (Walking Program, Grades 3–8)
Students learn about how trees cool cities, the challenges trees face in different urban environments, and how trees create habitat for wildlife.
Cemetery Geology (Walking Program, Grades 3–8)
Collect data on igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock through Green-Wood’s 200,000+ grave monuments and learn about the environmental toll of rock quarrying.
Plants and Pollinators (Walking Program, Grades 6–8)
Learn about the processes and importance of pollination and pollinator and plant biodiversity at Green-Wood’s featured wildflower meadow. Special fall activity: wildflower seed collection.
GRAVESIDE History
Green-Wood’s Battle Hill and The Battle of Brooklyn (Walking Program, Grades 4–12)
March to the top of Battle Hill to explore how the Revolutionary War Battle of Brooklyn is memorialized and remembered today.
Black History at Green-Wood (Walking Program or Trolley Program, Grades 4–12)
Discover the lives and work of fascinating Black New Yorkers: doctors, artists, activists, and more.
Immigration History at Green-Wood (Walking Program or Trolley Program, Grades 2–12)
Visit the monuments of immigrants who left a mark on their new home as artists, entrepreneurs, and community-builders.
Women’s History at Green-Wood (Walking Program or Trolley Program, Grades 4–12)
Explore the lives and legacies of women who both defied and embodied the times in which they lived: suffragists, spiritualists, artists, actors, authors, activists, and more.
Innovators and Activists of Green-Wood (Walking Program or Trolley Program, Grades 4–12)
Visit the monuments of visionaries and discover their impact on American social and political movements, technology, and culture.
LGBTQ+ History at Green-Wood (Walking Program or Trolley Program, Grades 4–12)
Visit the monuments of both famous and unknown historical figures who identified (or would identify today) as part of the LGBTQ+ community. And explore their fascinating stories.
Lives of the American Revolution (Trolley Program, Grades 4–12)
Explore the American Revolutionary era through the lives and legacies of revolutionaries who participated in some of the war’s most important events.
Lives of the Civil War (Trolley Program, Grades 4–12)
Visit the gravesite of some of the more than 5,000 Civil War soldiers interred at Green-Wood and learn about the pivotal era in American history.
Lives of World War II (Trolley Program, Grades 4–12)
Explore the history and legacy of World War II through the lives of Green-Wood’s permanent residents.
Art History
Wonderous Windows: Stained Glass at Green-Wood (Trolley Program, Grades 3K-5)
Students explore color, shapes, and composition in the Cemetery’s stained glass windows, masterpieces of the artform by legends such as Louis Comfort Tiffany and John La Farge.
Marvelous Monuments (Trolley Program, Grades K–2)
Visit the Cemetery’s most unique, elaborate, and expressive memorials to learn how people’s lives are celebrated through public art.
Architecture for the Afterlife (Walking Program or Trolley Program, Grades 4–12)
Study and sketch masterpieces of architecture at Green-Wood while learning to identify common styles.
Stories in Stone (Walking Program, Grades 2–12)
Explore the Cemetery through its secrets carved in stone. Search for symbols on a scavenger hunt and design your very own symbol.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Green-Wood school programs take place at the Cemetery and are led by experienced Green-Wood educators. Programs include discussion, inquiry-based exploration, and/or a hands-on component. All programs are tailored to specific grade levels and support a variety of DOE and other curriculum-based standards. We conduct walking programs and ones using our historical trolley.
Group Logistics:
- Each guided Green-Wood school program can accommodate a group size of up to 35 students and their adult chaperones. We follow DOE guidelines as to required student to adult chaperone ratios.
- Walking programs range from 75-90 minutes and take place completely outdoors, rain or shine. Walking programs can be scheduled Monday through Friday starting at 10:00am, 11:30am or 1:00pm. We can accommodate up to three groups per walking program time slot every weekday. Note that none of Green-Wood’s walking programs are ADA compliant; however, we will do our best to create mobility aid-friendly program routes whenever possible.
- Trolley programs last 90 minutes to two hours and take place partially outside and partially on the trolley, rain or shine. We are only able to offer one trolley program per day starting at 10 am. The trolley is ADA compliant.
- Green-Wood’s School Programs have several different starting locations. Make sure you know where you are scheduled to arrive before your visit.
- Groups are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes early to use the restroom and check in.
Program Rates
- Walking program prices
- Title 1: $120
- Public: $180
- Private/Non-NYC: $250
- Trolley program prices
- Title 1: $250
- Public: $325
- Private/Non-NYC: $400
CUSTOM PROGRAMS
If you are interested in a program theme not listed above, or wish to customize any of the above programs, Green-Wood’s director of education, Rachel Walman, would be happy to work with you! Please contact education@green-wood.com. Custom program pricing will be determined based on length and content of the program.
Registration
To plan and book your in-person program, click here to fill out our booking form. Programs MUST be booked and paid for (or purchase order number issued) a minimum of two weeks in advance.
Questions? Please call 718-210-3060 or email education@green-wood.com.
OTHER PROGRAM INFORMATION
Special Needs
Please tell us any relevant information that will help us make your program a success. Please note that none of Green-Wood’s walking programs are ADA compliant. The trolley is ADA compliant.
Lunch
Though picnics are prohibited for the general public, school groups may arrange to eat lunch to eat on our grounds at the time of booking. School groups eating lunch at Green-Wood must respect our space and keep it clean.
Please note that we do not have picnic tables, and Green-Wood cannot provide storage for belongings or food. All food and drinks except water must be sealed and put away during programs. Green-Wood educators are not able to remain with groups while they eat.
Cemetery Etiquette
As an active cemetery and public green space, Green-Wood has some easy-to-follow yet specific guidelines for appropriate behavior that all visitors must abide by. Please review our rules and best practices page with your students and chaperones before your program. All participants will be expected to observe appropriate etiquette during their time at Green-Wood, before, during, and after their programs. We thank you in advance for helping us make this a space all visitors can respectfully share.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
Green-Wood is taking the following precautions in line with current CDC and state guidelines:
- If Green-Wood educators feel ill, or test positive for COVID-19, they will be removed from your program. If we cannot find a replacement educator, we will reschedule your program at no cost or refund you in full if no other date works for you.
- We ask that any students, staff or chaperones who feel sick do not attend the program.
- Green-Wood educators will carry extra hand sanitizers and masks for anyone who wants them.
- Masks are encouraged, but not required, on the trolley.
RESCHEDULE AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Weather Policy
Green-Wood school programs take place outdoors or on our trolley. We will not cancel or refund programs unless weather conditions are severe. We will proceed with walking and trolley programs during light to moderate rain and/or wind. In cases of extreme heat or cold, we will modify or cancel the program in consultation with the lead teacher. If you are concerned about weather for your program, please check the forecast and make a decision 48 hours before the program so that you may reschedule if you wish free of charge.
To prepare for your program in rain, cold, wind, or heat please note:
- Students should wear close-toed shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
- Green-Wood has water bottle filling stations near the main entrance and Fort Hamilton entrance. Students are encouraged to carry water bottles during programs.
- Green-Wood can provide to students, upon request:
- disposable ponchos
- cooling towels (please arrive ten minutes early to activate these)
- Green-Wood’s trolley has heat and AC.
Reschedule Policy
Green-Wood always wants to accommodate schools and meet their needs. At the same, there are limits to our ability to reconfigure our programming schedule after we have confirmed programs.
If you wish to reschedule your program for any reason, you must submit a request by email to education@green-wood.com. Please do not text or call, as we need a written record of the request to avoid scheduling confusion. Please note that rebookings are subject to availability.
If you request to reschedule a program up to 48 hours before a scheduled program (or before 5 pm on the THURSDAY before a program the following Monday), and we can accommodate you, we will rebook you at no extra charge.
If you request a reschedule within 48 hours of your scheduled program (or after 5 pm on the THURSDAY before a program the following Monday), this is considered a cancellation, and we will have to charge a full program fee to rebook you.
Cancellation Policy
If you wish to cancel your program and not reschedule it you must submit a notice of cancellation by email to education@green-wood.com. Please do not text or call, as we need a written record of the request to avoid scheduling confusion. Only cancellations submitted by email will be eligible for full or partial refunds.
If you cancel a program with at least 48 hours notice, (or before 5 pm on the THURSDAY before a program the following Monday) you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel a program with fewer than 48 hours notice (or after 5 pm on the THURSDAY before a program the following Monday) before a scheduled program, we are not able to offer any refund.
Further Refund Policies:
Green-Wood strives to offer the best school programming possible. If you are not satisfied with your program, please contact education director Rachel Walman at 718-210-3060 or rwalman@green-wood.com to discuss your experience. Refunds will be issued as deemed appropriate by the education director.
In addition to policies stated above, program fees also will NOT be refunded if:
- You fail to arrive on the date of your program
- You receive a shortened program due to late arrival or arrival at a different entrance to the Cemetery than was agreed upon
- You arrive for your program during a different time slot than you scheduled and we are unable to accommodate you. We will make every effort to accommodate you, but we cannot guarantee it.
- You request to reschedule a program for the second time. Due to our complicated schedule of programming and limited staff, we will have to regard such a request as an entirely new program booking and charge the full program price.
Getting Here
Please note that Green-Wood’s School Programs have several different starting locations. Click to expand each section below and read or print directions to each of Green-Wood’s entrances.
MAIN ENTRANCE
These directions take you to The Green-Wood Cemetery’s MAIN ENTRANCE at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street in Brooklyn.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The closest subway station to Green-Wood’s Main Entrance is the R train at 25th Street. After exiting the train, walk east one block to Green-Wood at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street.
BY BUS
If you are using GPS: Please enter “25th Street and Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY.” Do NOT use “500 25th Street.”
From Lower Manhattan
Take the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel (Hugh L. Carey Tunnel) and exit at Hamilton Avenue (immediately after the toll plaza). Continue on Hamilton Avenue until it becomes Third Avenue and go about eight blocks to 25th Street. Turn left on 25th Street and go two blocks. The Cemetery Main Entrance is straight ahead at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street.
From Long Island
Take the Long Island Expressway west to the 48th Street exit to Brooklyn-Queens Expressway southbound to the Hamilton Avenue exit. Continue on Hamilton Avenue until it becomes Third Avenue and go about eight blocks to 25th Street. Turn left on 25th Street and go two blocks. The Cemetery Main Entrance is straight ahead at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street.
From Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
Take Route 278, Gowanus Expressway, to the 38th Street exit. At the bottom of the ramp, proceed straight one block to Fifth Avenue. Turn left at 5th Avenue and continue 13 blocks to 25th Street. The Cemetery Main Entrance is on the right.
Arrival Instructions
- Please enter through the Cemetery’s MAIN ENTRANCE at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street in Brooklyn. Ask busses to drive up through the Gothic Arch and drop you inside the Cemetery.
- If you need to reach Cemetery staff on your way here, please call 917-848-6226
- If school busses wish to remain in the Cemetery during your program, Green-Wood staff will direct them to an appropriate waiting spot.
- Please note that you will have access to a limited number of restrooms while at the Cemetery. Please encourage students to use the restroom before coming here, if possible.
Fort hamilton parkway entrance
These directions take you to the Cemetery’s FORT HAMILTON PARKWAY Entrance at Fort Hamilton Parkway and Micieli Place in Brooklyn.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The closest subway station to Green-Wood’s Fort Hamilton Parkway Entrance is the Church Avenue F/G station, which is approximately a ten minute walk from the Cemetery. Please be sure to cross Fort Hamilton Parkway at McDonald Avenue on your way here.
BY BUS
If you are using GPS: The entrance intersection is Fort Hamilton Parkway and Micieli Place. Do NOT use “500 25th Street.”
These directions take you to the Cemetery’s FORT HAMILTON PARKWAY Entrance at Fort Hamilton Parkway and Micieli Place in Brooklyn.
From Lower Manhattan
Take either the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel (Hugh L. Carey Tunnel), Manhattan Bridge, or Brooklyn Bridge. Continue on either I-478 or I-278 W until they merge. Use the left two lanes to take Exit 24 for Prospect Expy/NY-27 E. Then take Exit 5 toward Fort Hamilton Parkway/NY-27 E. Merge onto East 5th Street, then make a right on Fort Hamilton Parkway. The entrance to the Cemetery will be about 5 blocks away on the right.
From Long Island
Take I-495 West to Brooklyn, NY. Use the second from the right lane to take Exit 31 N-S toward Kennedy Airport. Merge onto Cross Island Pkwy. Take Exit 29 E for Grand Central Pkwy toward Triborough Bridge (Robert F. Kennedy Bridge). Keep left, follow signs for Grand Central Pkwy W and merge onto Grand Central Parkway. Keep left at the fork to continue on Jackie Robinson Pkwy/New York State Rte 908B W. Keep right to stay on Jackie Robinson Pkwy/New York State Rte 908B W, follow signs for E New York Ave. Continue onto Jamaica Ave. Continue onto E New York Ave. E New York Ave turns right and becomes Pacific St. Slight left onto Eastern Pkwy. Turn left onto Bedford Ave. Turn right onto Empire Blvd. Continue onto Ocean Ave. Turn right onto Parkside Ave. At the traffic circle, take the third exit onto Ocean Pkwy. Keep right to continue on Fort Hamilton Parkway. The entrance to the Cemetery will be about 10 blocks away on the right.
From Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
Take I-278 East into Brooklyn. Take Exit 20 for Seventh Avenue toward 65 Street. Merge onto Seventh Avenue. Turn right onto 65th Street. Turn left onto Fort Hamilton Pkwy. The entrance to the Cemetery will be about 1.8 miles away on the left.
Arrival Instructions
- Please enter through the Cemetery’s FORT HAMILTON PARKWAY ENTRANCE at Fort Hamilton Parkway and Micieli Place.
- For Black New Yorkers program ONLY: Buses may drop you outside the Cemetery at this entrance or inside.
- For Civil War and Innovators & Inventors programs: Busses MUST drive you into the Cemetery, make an immediate left on Border Avenue and follow signs for the Freedom Lots. They must drop you off and pick you up at the Freedom Lots.
- If you need to reach Cemetery staff on your way to here, please call 917-848-6226.
- If school busses wish to remain in the Cemetery during your program, Green-Wood staff will direct them to an appropriate waiting spot.
- Please note that you will have access to a limited number of restrooms while at the Cemetery. Please encourage students to use the restroom before coming here, if possible.
prospect park west entrance
These directions take you to the Cemetery’s PROSPECT PARK WEST ENTRANCE at 20th Street and Ninth Avenue/Prospect Park West in Brooklyn.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The closest subway station to Green-Wood’s Prospect Park West Entrance is the F or G train at 15 St/Prospect Park. It is an approximately seven minute walk from the station.
BY BUS
If you are using GPS: The entrance intersection is Prospect Park West and 20th Street.
From Lower Manhattan
Take either Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel (Hugh L. Carey Tunnel), Manhattan Bridge, or Brooklyn Bridge. Continue on either I-478 or I-278 W until they merge. Use the left two lanes to take Exit 24 for Prospect Expy/NY-27 E. Then turn right onto Tenth Avenue and turn right onto 20th Street. The entrance to the Cemetery will be on the left.
From Long Island
Take I-495 West to Brooklyn, NY. Use the second from the right lane to take Exit 31 N-S toward Kennedy Airport. Merge onto Cross Island Pkwy. Take Exit 29 E for Grand Central Pkwy toward Triborough Bridge (Robert F. Kennedy Bridge). Keep left, follow signs for Grand Central Pkwy W and merge onto Grand Central Parkway. Keep left at the fork to continue on Jackie Robinson Pkwy/New York State Rte 908B W. Keep right to stay on Jackie Robinson Pkwy/New York State Rte 908B W, follow signs for E New York Ave. Continue onto Jamaica Avenue. Continue onto E New York Avenue. E New York Avenue turns right and becomes Pacific Street. Slight left onto Eastern Parkway. Use the right two lanes to turn slightly right to stay on Eastern Parkway. Keep left to stay on Eastern Parkway. Use the left lane to turn right onto Grand Army Plaza. Sharp left to stay on Grand Army Plaza. Use the right two lanes to turn slightly right to stay on Grand Army Plaza. Continue onto Prospect Park West. At the traffic circle, take the second exit and stay on Prospect Park West. Turn right onto 20th Street. The entrance to the Cemetery will be on the left.
From Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
Head northeast on I-278 East. Take Exit 24 for Prospect Expy. Continue onto NY-27/Prospect Expy. Take Exit 4 for 10th Ave toward 11th Ave/NY-27. Turn right onto 10th Avenue. Turn right onto 20th Street. The entrance to the Cemetery will be on the left.
Arrival Instructions
- Please enter through the Cemetery’s PROSPECT PARK WEST ENTRANCE at Prospect Park West and 20th Street in Brooklyn.
- If you need to reach Cemetery staff on your way here, please call 917-848-6226
- If school busses wish to remain in the Cemetery during your program, Green-Wood staff will direct them to an appropriate waiting spot.
- Please note that you will have access to a limited number of restrooms while at the Cemetery. Please encourage students to use the restroom before coming here, if possible.
Sunset Park entrance
These directions take you to The Green-Wood Cemetery’s SUNSET PARK ENTRANCE at Fourth Avenue between 34th and 36th Streets in Brooklyn.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The closest subway station to Green-Wood’s Main Entrance is the D/N/R trains at 36th Street. After exiting the train, walk north one block to Green-Wood entrance at Fourth Avenue between 34th and 36th Streets.
BY BUS
If you are using GPS: The entrance intersection is Fourth Avenue and Maple Avenue.
FROM MANHATTAN
Take I-478/Hugh L. Carey Tunnel to Hamilton Ave. Take exit 26 from I-478/Hugh L. Carey Tunnel. Continue on Hamilton Ave and then onto 3rd Ave. Make a left onto 31st Street. Make a right on 4th Avenue. Entrance is at 4th Avenue. Entrance is at 4th Avenue between 34th and 36th Streets.
FROM QUEENS
From I-495 W. Take I-278 W to Hamilton Ave in Brooklyn. Take exit 26 from I-278 W. Continue on Hamilton Ave and then onto 3rd Ave. Make a left onto 31st Street. Make a right on 4th Avenue. Entrance is at 4th Avenue. Entrance is at 4th Avenue between 34th and 36th Streets.
FROM STATEN ISLAND
Follow I-278 E to 38th St in Brooklyn. Take exit 23 from I-278 E. Turn left onto 4th Avenue. Entrance is at 4th Avenue between 34th and 36th Streets.
ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS
- Please enter through the Cemetery’s SUNSET PARK ENTRANCE at Fourth Avenue between 34 th and 36th Streets in Brooklyn.
- If you need to reach Cemetery staff on your way here, please call 917-848-6226
- If school busses wish to remain in the Cemetery during your program, Green-Wood staff will direct them to an appropriate waiting spot.
- Please note that you will have access to a limited number of restrooms while at the Cemetery. Please encourage students to use the restroom before coming here, if possible.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please email education@green-wood.com or call 718-210-3060.
