By Sara Fetherolf and Erin Allsop, Brooklyn College Interns
Title: Cemetery Rules and Regulations, 1845-1985
Extent: 6.0 Boxes
Arrangement: Chronological
Subjects: Brooklyn--New York, N.Y., Cemeteries--New York (State)--New York--History, Cemeteries--United States--History--19th Century, Cemetery Publications, Cemetery Rules and Regulations, Green-Wood Cemetery--New York, N.Y., Publications, Serial Publications
Languages: English
The Green-Wood Cemetery Rules and Regulations series contains printed informational pamphlets issued by Green-Wood from the years 1849 to 1985 and are arranged chronologically. Many years contain updated information inserted on typed slips of paper and several years contain pamphlets with heavy revision notes for later versions.
Both the partial copies of the 1849 pamphlet and the full copy from 1850 provide a detailed portrait of the cemetery shortly after its establishment. These early pamphlets contain a full copy of Green-Wood’s 1848 Act of Incorporation, the cemetery charter, and a list of current board members. Additionally, they contain rules for interments and visitors, suggestions to the lot owners concerning improvements, legal documents for acquiring and maintaining lots, and a catalogue of current proprietors.
In addition to their practical content, early pamphlets contain passages that describe Green-Wood Cemetery as it was in its early years, providing insight into the historical setting in which it became a prominent institution. General remarks at the beginning of the pamphlets contextualize the cemetery, briefly describing the layout of grounds and its position in relation to the Manhattan harbor area, and discussing the need for a “rural cemetery” in contrast with the “festering burial-grounds of cities.” The pamphlets close with “descriptive notes”—detailed poetic passages about cemetery landmarks as they were in 1846.
By 1856, most of the descriptive content is dropped, and the tone of the pamphlets becomes more businesslike. Content focuses on recent improvements made to the grounds and expands on the rules for lot use and maintenance. The 1881-83 pamphlets contain particularly detailed statistics on the grounds and their usage.
By 1908, the pamphlets begin to follow a standard format, focusing entirely on practical information about cemetery use, including the current rules and regulations, price guides for lots and interments, as well as rules on the planting of trees and shrubbery. Much of the material on lot ownership and maintenance continues in the “Suggestions to the Lot Owners” series, beginning in 1883. Similarly, the yearly updates and statistical information contained in early pamphlets can instead be found in the “Reports of the Board of Trustees” series, beginning in 1869. Also included in this series are copies from the 1917 Act of Incorporation with amendments.
Brooklyn--New York, N.Y.
Cemeteries--New York (State)--New York--History
Cemeteries--United States--History--19th Century
Cemetery Publications
Cemetery Rules and Regulations
Green-Wood Cemetery--New York, N.Y.
Publications
Serial Publications
