NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Joins Green-Wood Cemetery 'Cut the Garland' on New Green-House Visitor Center

For Immediate Release: April 16, 2026

Contact: [email protected]

NYC DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS JOINS GREEN-WOOD CEMETERY "CUT THE GARLAND" ON NEW GREEN-HOUSE VISITOR CENTER

DCLA contributed more than $13 million in mayoral, council, and borough president funding to the project

Officials "cut the garland" on the new Green-House at Green-Wood. Photo by Maike Schulz.

Additional photos from today's ribbon cutting ceremony are available here for download .

Brooklyn, NY - Today, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Commissioner Diya Vij joined Green-Wood Cemetery President Meera Joshi and other local leaders to officially open the "Green-House at Green-Wood," an extraordinary new visitor and education center that will welcome visitors to engage with the cemetery's singular programming. The new welcome center is situated just across the street from the Cemetery's Gothic Main Entrance Arch, and will open to the public on Saturday, April 18th at 10am. The structure combines the restoration of a Victorian-era greenhouse and flower shop, which was formerly known as "a miniature crystal palace," and a new, adjoining building. The new space includes treasures and artifacts of Green-Wood, for a visual history lesson, an art gallery, a classroom, and a research room to review archives previously beyond public view.

"New Yorkers deserve places for peace and reflection in a city that never slows down, and I'm proud of the city's investment in the Green-House at Green-Wood, which will welcome both new and returning visitors to a place that means so much for so many," said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. "A more livable city means not only making our city more affordable, but investing in spaces that support learning, connection, and quiet moments."

"Anyone who has walked through its iconic Gothic archway knows that Green-Wood Cemetery is a special place," said New York City Cultural Affairs Commissioner Diya Vij. "The rolling hills in the heart of Brooklyn serve not only as a final resting place for generations of New Yorkers, including several notable artists, but as a rare cultural organization that works with historians and artists of all disciplines to commemorate people no longer with us through the creativity and care of those who are. We're proud of the city's investment in the Green-House at Green-Wood, which will provide visitors with a remarkable new entry point to engage with the history of this one-of-a-kind place."

"The Green-House opens the door to Green-Wood for a new generation of visitors while giving longtime fans, families, and neighbors a welcoming place to begin their visit," said Meera Joshi, President of The Green-Wood Cemetery. "Just beyond the front gates, the Green-House will offer visitors a deeper understanding of Green-Wood's role as a place of remembrance, a historic landmark, and a green space that brings communities together, all before they step inside to experience it firsthand. Join us this weekend to be the first to get a glimpse."

"The opening of The Green-House marks a meaningful new chapter for Green-Wood Cemetery," said Peter W. Davidson, Green-Wood Board Chair. "This thoughtfully restored Victorian gem will offer maps, exhibits, research access, and programs for people of all ages, ones that enrich visits for newcomers and longtime community members alike. It promises to deepen connections to our shared history, landscapes, and stories for years to come."

The City of New York contributed $13.3 million to the new visitor and education center, including funding from the NYC Mayor's Office, New York City Council, and Brooklyn Borough President.

The focal point of the new visitor center is the restored 1895 Weir Greenhouse. Once a neighborhood flower shop, it is today one of the only surviving Victorian greenhouses in New York City and a designated New York City Landmark. Constructed around the greenhouse is a new, LEED-Gold-certified building designed by Architecture Research Office (ARO). Featuring an L-shaped design, a glazed terra cotta facade, low-energy lighting, and a sculpted green roof, the structure reflects Green-Wood's dedication to both preservation and sustainability.

Inside, the visitor center features:

• Welcome Associates offering free maps and guidance to notable monuments, scenic vistas, and walking routes.
• An exhibition gallery bringing Green-Wood's story to life through art, writing, sculpture, and historic artifacts.
• A focus gallery currently showcasing artist Jean Shin's installation, "Celadon Landscape."
• A state-of-the-art classroom for K-12 and adult programs.
• A Center for Research with access to rarely seen archival materials dating back to 1838.
• Digital lookup stations to help visitors locate any grave at Green-Wood.

Aerial view of the restored greenhouse (left) and new visitor center (right). Photo by Maike Schulz.

Free and open to all, public events on the opening weekend of Saturday, April 18th and Sunday, April 19th include free trolley tours and walking tours and family-friendly activities, including a "plant and pollinator petting zoo," opportunities to decorate then plant seeds in mini flower pots, hands-on sachet-making with mountain mint, magnolia buds, elderberry, and other herbs, and a scavenger hunt. Visitors are invited to participate in artist Jean Shin's large-scale outdoor earthwork installation, "Offering," in the Front Meadow by planting wildflowers atop the 100-foot-long mound inspired by traditional Korean burial sites. In the classroom, kids and families can create handmade remembrance cards inspired by Victorian traditions.

Founded in 1838 as part of America's Rural Cemetery Movement, Green-Wood was the city's first park-like green space. Because it predated both Prospect Park and Central Park, Green-Wood was the destination for city dwellers seeking a green oasis. Today, it is a destination for over half a million visitors annually. People come from across the city and around the world to explore its grounds, take in the dramatic architecture and sculpture, delve into its rich history-including its significance in the Revolutionary War-and engage in educational, cultural, and environmental programming.

"Our goal was to create a new front door to Green-Wood-one that orients visitors and prepares them for the remarkable experience across the street," said Kim Yao and Stephen Cassell, Principals of ARO. "The new building frames the historic greenhouse and the views toward the Cemetery, with a sculpted green roof and glazed terra cotta facade that echo the character of its landscape and Gothic entrance."

"This marks an exciting new chapter for Brooklyn's cultural and civic life with the debut of the Green-House at Green-Wood Cemetery" said Brooklyn Borough President, Antonio Reynoso. "This visitor center creates a welcoming point of entry where history, reflection, and public programming meet in ways that resonate across generations. It's a space that invites people to connect more deeply with Brooklyn's past while building community in the present."

New York City Council Member, Alexa Avilés said, "Sunset Park has always been defined by its diversity, resilience, and strong sense of community, and the Green-House at Green-Wood Cemetery reflects those values in action. This new hub brings resources, learning, and gathering space directly to our neighborhood, just steps from one of Brooklyn's most significant historic sites. It's an important addition that strengthens local connections and expands opportunity right here at home. I'm proud to partner with Green-Wood and thrilled to see this project come to fruition!"

The Green-House at Green-Wood is free of charge and will be open from Thursdays to Mondays, from 10am to 6pm, starting Saturday, April 18th.

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About The Green-Wood Cemetery

Established in 1838, The Green-Wood Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark, is recognized as one of the world's most beautiful cemeteries. As the permanent residence of over 580,000 individuals, Green-Wood's magnificent grounds, grand architecture, and world-class statuary have made it a destination for half a million visitors annually, including national and international tourists, New Yorkers, and Brooklynites. At the same time, Green-Wood is also an outdoor museum, an arboretum, and a repository of history. Throughout the year, it offers innovative programs in arts and culture, nature and the environment, education, workforce development, restoration, and research. For more information, please visitgreen-wood.com.

About the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs

The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to supporting and strengthening New York City's vibrant cultural life. DCLA works to promote and advocate for quality arts programming and to articulate the contribution made by the cultural community to the City's vitality. The Department represents and serves non-profit cultural organizations involved in the visual, literary, and performing arts; public-oriented science and humanities institutions including zoos, botanical gardens, and historic and preservation societies; and creative artists at all skill levels who live and work within the City's five boroughs. DCLA also provides donated materials for arts programs offered by the public schools and cultural and social service groups, and commissions permanent works of public art at City-funded construction projects throughout the five boroughs. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/culture.