The Weir-Mc Govern Greenhouse which has been a landmark in the neighborhood since it was built in 1879. Owned by the Mc Govern family until they could no longer make a profit, they sold it to the Green Wood Cemetery in 2011 and it is finally seeing it's renovation phase. Located in the Greenwood section of Sunset Park on 25th street the location is today covered in tarp and fenced in for renovations. The signs indicate that the construction and renovations will be completed by December 2015 and will become a visitors center for Green Wood Cemetery.
The website RACKED.COM has a tourist guide titled "Thrifting, Bowling and Dim Sum in Sunset Park" obviously written for outsiders who don't live in Sunset Park. However, even Sunset Parkers or recent newcomers to the nabe might enjoy the selection of spots to visit and drop by. How many local residents have actually taken a tour of Green Wood Cemetery? My parents are buried there, so I go there quite often. The article includes none other than our own Pacificana Restaurant featured on our website. Take a peek at the piece and make your own plans.
As some of you may know the Battle of Brooklyn otherwise known in other circles as the Battle of Long Island (some people forget Brooklyn is part of Long Island), or at least some important parts of it took place nearby in what is now Greenwood Cemetery. Although the Brits won that engagement the holding actions of our patriots in those early days of the revolution allowed our General George Washington to escape and survive to continue on the fight. Had he been captured we would instead be celebrating the holidays our British masters would have imposed on us.
You can catch all the details at the Green-wood Cemetery website: they are reproduced below in case their site goes down.
Battle of Brooklyn Commemoration Ceremonies
In memory of the brave patriots who fought
for our country’s independence in this first battle after the signing
of the Declaration of Independence. Part of Brooklyn Battle Week
. FREE EVENTS:
12:30 PM - Revolutionary War Re-Enactors will relive
a portion of the Battle of Brooklyn in Green-Wood’s Meadow and the
surrounding area near Green- Wood’s main entrance. 1:30 PM - The Green-Wood Historic Fund and United
States Merchant Marine Academy sponsor the Annual Battle of Brooklyn
Parade. Meet at the main gate for a parade to Battle Hill led by George
M. Cohan’s own, The Regimental Band of the United States Merchant Marine
Academy. 2:00 PM - Battle of Brooklyn Commemorative Ceremony
honoring the Patriots who fought the first battle of our new nation on
this sacred ground 234 years ago.
This is a FREE event. Reservations are not necessary.
Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Location: The Green-Wood Cemetery
A story of the Prentiss Brothers, Marylanders who fought on opposite sides in the Civil war and are buried side by side at Green-Wood. Author Jones will also give a book signing on his book.
Admission is FREE but space is limited. Call for reservations 718.768.7300
WHEN: Sunday April, 6, 2008 @ 1:00 PM
WHERE: Green Wood Cemetery's Historic Chapel 500 25th street on 5th Avenue.
Following the Book Talk Green-Wood historian Jeff Richman will lead a trolley tour to adjoining graves of the Prentiss brothers, as well as othe significant Civil War Gravesites. The trolley Tour is $20 / $10 for Historic Fund Members.
