Jeff Richman is Green-Wood Cemetery’s official historian. He led his first tour at the famous Brooklyn cemetery twenty-nine years ago, became its part-time historian in 2001 (while he was still a practicing defense attorney!), before transitioning to the role full time in 2007. In addition to leading tours and writing for the Green-Wood blog, Jeff Richman has also authored three books on the cemetery and the Civil War, curated several gallery exhibitions and led the cemetery’s Civil War Project, identifying Civil War veterans interred at Green-Wood.
We spoke to Jeff about his transition from lawyer to historian, what makes the Green-Wood Cemetery such a special place, and the coolest activity at this year’s Battle of Brooklyn commemoration event.
How did you transition from defense attorney to cemetery historian? And did your legal knowledge ever come in handy with the new job?
I spent some time doing both jobs–so the transition was a gradual one. Skills I learned as a criminal defense attorney–morphing trial skills and appellate arguments into leading cemetery tours–as well as the writing of briefs translating into writing skills to tell stories in books and blogs–were a great help.
What makes Green-Wood Cemetery so special for you?
Green-Wood brings together so much that I love–discovery, photography (both 19th century and contemporary), nature, monuments and sculpture, and stories of both the cemetery and its permanent residents.
How have American funerary rituals changed in the last century?
Yes, they certainly have. Cremation is much more in use today–and green burials have created new possibilities.
Tell us about the Battle of Brooklyn. What significance does the battle have for New Yorkers, or Americans as a whole, today?
The Battle of Brooklyn played a key role in American history. It was the first battle of the Revolutionary War after the Declaration of Independence. It was the largest battle of that war. And it was the first battle in which American forces went toe-to-toe in the open field with the greatest military power in the world–the British. General George Washington was in command in Brooklyn–and he come very close to getting his army cornered and destroyed. That would have ended the Revolutionary War–and all that we today owe thanks to the men who sacrificed so much at this battle would have been lost.
What’s the coolest, can’t-miss activity of this year’s Battle of Brooklyn event at Green-Wood (August 25)?
I suppose I must say that the coolest activity of the day is the battlefield trolley tour that I will be leading across the cemetery grounds. Visitors will have a chance to stand where blood was shed and history was made. But I must mention another feature of the day: visitors are encouraged to grab one of the reproduction Revolutionary War flags that will be on display and walk behind the Merchant Marine Band as it leads the way up to Battle Hill, where the Patriots greatest triumph of the battle occurred. It is like an old-fashioned circus parade through a small town–except this is a history parade, and a great photo opportunity!