Jun 19
Unearthing Black History in Brooklyn: Green-Wood Cemetery’s Freedom Lots
This episode will explore a lesser-known (African American) area of Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery: the Freedom Lots. In 2017, these seven lots were restored by Green-Wood’s conservation staff and a group of student interns. This first episode of this season tells the story of these lots — the people of color who took action to not only preserve the physical graves but the memories of those buried there.
Founded in 1838, Green-Wood is one of the earliest (and most famous) rural cemeteries in America. Its grandiose, park-like setting is scattered with notable burial sites and architectural masterpieces, just one aspect of the significance of this National Historic Landmark. But, in our interviews with Green-Wood staff members (Neela Wickremesinghe, Jeff Richman, and Darryl Jones), we learned about the Freedom Lots, an area of the cemetery where African Americans were buried.
GUESTS
Our guests include Green-Wood’s Director of Restoration and Preservation, Neela Wickremesinghe; staff Historian, Jeff Richman; and Darryl Jones (Neela’s former intern who now works for the cemetery full time)!
CREDITS
- Host and Executive Producer: Deqah Hussein-Wetzel.
- Host and Executive Producer: Vanessa Maria Quirk.
- Editor: Connor Lynch
- Story Editor: Cheryl Devall
- Mix: Andrew Callaway.
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