NEW! Art and architecture to die for at Woodlawn Cemetery.

A. C. Tayor Mausoleum, Belmont Mausoleum, Julius Manger Mausoleum, John and Kate Harbeck Mausoleum, W. A. Clark Mausolem, Woolawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York

This National Historic Landmark is arguably the most extraordinary cemetery on earth, a wonderland of Gilded Age architectural gems, Tiffany stained glass windows, and sculpture.

And, oh, the stories! Rip-roaring tales of Robber Barons, Ziegfeld Girls, and jazz era greats. Famous names like Woolworth, JC Penney, Herman Melville, Dorothy Parker and Irving Berlin.

  • Relive the sinking of the Titanic with Ida Strauss who refused the last seat in a lifeboat to stay by her husband’s side.

  • Weep for Olive Thomas Pickford, ”The Most Beautiful Girl in the World,” now spending eternity all alone.

  • Hear the tragic saga of Barbara Hutton, the “Poor Little Rich Girl” who squandered a vast fortune on seven failed marriages, five of them to royalty.

  • Be dazzled by Irene Castle, who personally created every aspect of the “modern” 1920’s flapper.

  • Meet James Bailey, the orphan who ran away and joined the circus, then RAN the circus.

  • Marvel at the gumption of Senator W. A Clark, a the real life King Midas, whose golden touch destroyed his daughter.

  • Be shocked by the ”Current Wars” between George Westinghouse and Thomas Edison including a botched execution in the first electric chair.

  • Bow before the the Barbed Wire King, the Copper King, the Tin Plate King, and King of Beer Corners.

  • Be revolted by the ”Embalmed Beef Scandal.”

  • Hear the case against Caroline Harbeck, who thought her husband was a bigamist, then discovered that she herself was.

  • Stand at the foot of a bronze bed, sculpted as an dramatic statement in support of same-sex marriage.

Even lifelong New Yorkers have never heard of Woodlawn, but after one visit you’ll wonder why no one told you about it sooner. Just a bit north of the Botanic Gardens, Woodlawn is only minutes from Manhattan by #4 subway, or 15-minute’s drive from most of Westchester.

Trust me, it’s worth the trip.

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The Plaza Hotel. A popular place to check out…permanently.