Evergreens Cemetery: Andrew Downing’s creation that inspired Central Park

Janes Walk

Led By JOHN SEMLAK, Guides Association of New York City

While Green-Wood Cemetery was the birth of New York State’s rural cemetery movement, Evergreens Cemetery was possibly just as influential. It was designed by the giant of 19th Century landscape design, Andrew Jackson Downing, known as ‘the Apostle of Taste’. It’s the final resting place of many New York notables in acting, jazz, politics, sports and the military. We’ll see a plot dedicated to the 20th US Colored Infantry, the Triangle Shirtwaist monument, the Actor’s Fund monument and more. And we’ll learn how Downing’s pastoral and picturesque design helped inspire Central Park.

Accessibility

This is a rural cemetery. Some steep hills will be involved. Tour will be on paved paths/roads but some graves will require walking on grass to get close to.

Location Information

RSVP is required and capacity is limited. Meeting location, ending location, and directions will be provided via email before walk date.

guided

Sunday, May 4, 2025
11:00 AM
2 hours

Borough: Brooklyn
Theme: History & Culture
Language: English
The Evergreens Cemetery map 1852. Photo: Wikimedia Commons