I recently learned that Green Wood Cemetery is and always has been one of New York City's most popular tourist destinations, at least for the last 150 years! A myriad of famous and prominent personalities are buried there and the grounds are spectacular. What I also didn't know is that it's still a working cemetery. So amongst the roamers and tourists you'll also see people actually coming to mourn and pay respects to their loved ones. It's an odd combination, but somehow it works.  For the past 14 years they've held a Memorial Day concert. I used to live eight blocks away from it and was not aware that this event took place. Furthermore, I had not been to Green Wood in seven years. I revisited this lovely place by attending the concert and even though it was rather strange to be sitting by the gravestones listening to music it was a beautiful and peaceful experience. The concert was performed by the ISO Symphonic Band comprised of talented New York students. They played Memorial Day classics like God Bless America and America the Beautiful plus a few pieces composed by permanent residents of the cemetery: Leonard Bernstein & Louis Moreau Gottschalk. It was a wonderful way to honor them and veterans. After the performance I took a walk on the grounds and took these photos. I enjoyed my time there immensely and I hope to return often and soon. If you're even in the area I highly recommend a visit to Green Wood.

***These images are published with the express permission of Green Wood Cemetery