Moravian Cemetery: it's much more than a cemetery.
Richard L. Simpson presents....
Walking Tours of Moravian Cemetery. Our tours feature history, architecture and nature.
We can't predict the future, but we can sure tell you about the past.
We now accept genealogy inquiries. Our records go back to 1867.
Please call us at 718.351.0136 (ext. 7) between the hours of 9am and 4pm. Mon-Fri.
e-mail cemeteryguy@earthlink.net
Mark you calendars now for our Spring (2008) Walking Tours. All tours are open to the public by reservation only and take place at 2pm on Sundays. Private tours for organizations and families can be arranged for other times.
April 6 - Our New Tour (4)
April 20 - Atlantic Avenue Tour (1)
May 18 - Our New Tour (4)
May 25 - Atlantic Avenue Tour (1)
June 1 - Our New Tour (4)
June 22 - The Old Section Tour (2)
We now offer four walking tours. Each tour takes place in a different section of the cemetery.
Our new tour (Tour 4) features such prominent people as first Borough President George Cromwell, historian J. Clute, architect John Merven Carrere, brewery founder August Horrmann, playwrite Paul Zindel, American-Indian historian Alanson Skinner, Major Clarence Barrett (his statue stands in St. George and Barrett Park is named for him) and such families as Pouch, Methfessel, Dryfus, Braisted, Outerbridge, Errington and many, many more names you'll reconize.
Here's some of the people you'll meet on our other tours.
Tour 1 - This tour features photographer Alice Austen, Civil War Hero Col. Robert Gould Shaw, pencil manufacturer Eberhard Faber, cigar manufacturer Alvaro Garcia (Garcia & Vega), historian Charles W. Leng, author Dorothy Valentine Smith, and a mausoleum designed by the noted architectural firm of Carrere & Hastings, and many more famous Staten Islanders.
Tour 2 - This tour features the oldest sections of Moravian Cemetery. Here you'll see gravestones that date back to the 1700's which include the resting places of the founders of the Moravian Church. We also visit the graves of historian William T. Davis, Edward Banker whose residence is now home to the Elk's Lodge, Max Maretzek who brought the first Italian Opera to the United States. You'll see the first mausoleum built (1865) at Moravian Cemetery, it's actually an underground vault.
Tour 3 - This tour features many families who have streets and towns named after them. Visit the graves of real estate magnet Cornelius Kolff, historian Ira K. Morris. See the resting place of 90 women who lived at the Mariner's Family Asylum. We also visit the resting places of men and women who served in WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam.
ALL tours are by "Reservation Only." Please call early to make your reservation as our tours are limited in attendance. There is a $10. entrance fee for each tour. This fee goes towards research expenses.
To make reservations call 718.351.0136 (ext7). Please call during the hours of 9a-4p. M-F.
To learn about our tours and to read articles submitted by visitors, please click on the "articles" tab on the top of our homepage.
Please inquire about our private tours for individuals and groups.
Genealogy inquiries are accepted anytime. Our records go back to 1867. To see what information can be found in our records, please click on article entitled "Researching Your Family? Here's a Good Place to Start."
We also encourage you to submit information for those resting at Moravian Cemetery.
For further information, please call our office at 718.351.0136 (ext 7) between 9a-4p. M-F.
Thank You.
Richard L. Simpson - historian and tour guide for Moravian Cemetery.
