COURIER LIFE, OCT. 23-29, 2020 31
OUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE BOROUGH OF KINGS
BY TODD MAISEL
Tales from the Crypt!
Spirits of the dearly departed
seemed to come alive at Sunset Park’s
Green-Wood Cemetery on Oct. 11,
when the historical burial site celebrated
“Open Doors” — an annual
event during which visitors can view
the interiors of the site’s most impressive
19th century mausoleums that are
otherwise locked up tight.
“Open Doors” is one of the 200-yearold
National historic landmark’s many
outdoor presentations on its 478 acres.
During this particular event, visitors
are offered a rare glimpse inside the
tombs of the wealthy and some everyday
New Yorkers from 200 years ago.
This year’s event featured a musical
installation entitled “Vigil” by
Leigh Davis that engages the power of
loss and memory through song. Those
listening were encouraged to contemplate
the complexity of mourning on
both a personal and collective level.
At a time when it is not easy to commune
or console one another, Davis
said, “Vigil” provides an occasion to
meditate and refl ect on the universal
experience of death.
During the event, Catherine Burns,
artistic director for the storytelling
organization The Moth, told the story
of Mary Rogers, originally from Connecticut,
but who later settled in New
York City in the 1800’s.
Rogers’ death remains unexplained
— and it even inspired Allan Poe‘s pioneering
detective story “The Mystery
of Marie Rogêt.” The murder, much
publicized by the press at the time, emphasized
the ineptitude and corruption
of the city’s watchmen system of
law enforcement.
“Open Doors” is just one of many of
Green-Wood’s autumnal events. From
Oct. 23 through Nov. 1, the cemetery
will present special “Day of the Dead”
events free of charge. To honor El Dia
de Los Muertos — a three-day holiday
that honors the departed through offerings
arranged on altars, and gatherings
with friends and family — a
large-scale community altar by artist
Scherezade Garcia will be installed in
Green-Wood’s Historic Chapel.
Visitors are encouraged to bring personal
offerings to the community altar,
including fl owers, photographs, and
notes, among other objects. Inspired
by altars found throughout Mexico and
the Mexican diaspora, Garcia’s altar
will combine her own unique style with
this centuries-old celebration of the departed,
and will be open to the public
from 10 am to 4 pm each day.
On Sunday, Nov. 1, the cemetery
will also present a “Día de los Muertos
Family Celebration,” from 1:30 pm
to 4:30 pm, during which parents and
children can celebrate the holiday with
family-friendly crafts, Mexican treats,
music and more. The event is open to
families with children of all ages and
craft bags will be available on a fi rst
come, fi rst serve basis.
All outdoor programs require visitors
to wear masks and maintain six
feet while inside historic edifi ces.
Some of the events are free, while other
require tickets in advance.
For more information, visit Green-
Wood.com.
Tomb
service
Green-Wood
Cemetery opens
rooms of the dead
for history’s sake
CRYPT KEEPERS: (Above) Alice Teeple, center, welcomes people to come inside the tomb
of De Aldama (1787-1870) during the event. (Left) The mausoleum of Charles Morgan (1795-
1878) gets visitors. Photos by Debbie Egan Chin
/Wood.com
