This Sunday, November 8, Friends of Woodlawn Cemetery and Westchester County Historical Society will explore Westchester’s legacy at the burial ground with a special program and tour.
At 2 p.m., Gray Williams, noted cemetery expert and author of “Picturing Our Past: National Register Sites in Westchester County,” will give an opening presentation in the Woolworth Chapel of the cemetery. Following the talk, Frank Sanchis, Senior Vice President of the Municipal Art Society and author of Westchester County Architecture, will lead a tour of the grave sites of several Westchesterites, including financier Jay Gould, founder of the City of Mount Vernon John Stevens, America’s first black millionairess, Madam C. J. Walker, dancer Irene Castle, circus impresario James Bailey and the “Killer Cop” Charles Becker.
A walking tour of the cemetery immediately follows the presentation, rain or shine. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and children under 6 will be admitted free.
Woodlawn Cemetery was established in 1863 when the Bronx was part of Westchester. The southern half of the county, where Woodlawn was located, became part of the Bronx in the late 19th century. However, many of Westchester’s famous families and colorful characters continued to chose Woodlawn as their final resting place.
For additional information about the event and reservations, contact Friends of Woodlawn Cemetery at (718) 920-1470 or friends@thewoodlawncemetery.org.
