Dynamic Subspace

Tag: Green-Wood Cemetery

Solar-Powered Tombstone, a Technologized Memorial

I gave my respects to the Bakalises after I saw this fine monument to them in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. Installed on a small hill, its solar cells on the two short sides are what attracted my attention on a recent walk.

My guess is that the cells charge batteries during the day, which in turn power a light from within the cross cut into the headstone at night. As this is a fair walk away from where I live, I haven’t seen it from 5th Avenue in the dark (the cemetery is closed at night).

While there are larger memorials and mausoleums in the cemetery, I have a lot of respect for the thought and engineering that went into creating this one for the Bakalises.

May 15, 2024
Naming the Lost Memorial (NTLM) at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn: Remembering Those Struck Down by COVID-19

At the 5th Avenue Main Entrance to Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York, there are impressive memorials created by folks in the community to remember those who were lost due to COVID-19 and recognize those still suffering from Long COVID.

The installation is called Naming the Lost, and it will be up through May 29, 2024. I am including photos below, but it is far more impressive to see in person. The work that these people put into this is a testament to their love and grief. It also points to the disproportionate effect of the virus on our densely populated urban environment–in terms of infection rates, mortality, messaging, and disruption.

May 13, 2024
120-Ring Tree Downed in Green-Wood Cemetery

Near the corner of Mulberry Avenue and Fern Avenue in Green-Wood Cemetery, Y and I saw this once mighty tree felled and its trunk removed. All that remained was its stump and roots that had been pulled from the ground–perhaps due to the recent rains and high winds. I counted at least 120 rings.

The side it fell towards shows an extensive wood boring infestation (more than half the the circumference of the outer bands on the side toward the bottom of the photo). Perhaps its roots were weakened on that side, which contributed to its fall.

Switch to the satellite view of this point on Google Maps to see how large the tree was in better days.

April 9, 2024
Bronze Angel Memorial for Benjamin Franklin Romaine in Green-Wood Cemetery

While walking in Green-Wood Cemetery, I recently approached this beautiful memorial for Benjamin Franklin Romaine. A bronze angel holding a hammer and chisel sits in repose of its completed work creating this monument.

Jeff Richman discovered the name of the angel’s sculptor as Raffaello Romanelli. He explains how he worked it out in this blog post on the official cemetery’s website.

Below are close-up photos of the sculpture.

February 9, 2024
Pierrepont Family Monument in Green-Wood Cemetery

The Pierrepont Family Memorial designed by Richard Upjohn is one of my favorite hilltop sites to visit in Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery. It’s surrounding by trees, but you can easily see the undulation of the ground upon which this great city of the dead rests. I took this photo last Saturday when the snow was lightly falling.

January 19, 2024