Brooklyn’s historic Green‑Wood Cemetery opened a $43 million visitor’s center Thursday, anchored by a restored 1895 Victorian greenhouse. The new L‑shaped complex sits across from the main entrance and offers a porcelain‑tiled map, exhibition hall and classroom, turning the 478‑acre site into a more navigable cultural destination.

The project blends preservation with modern design; half the cost came from city, state and federal grants plus private donations, while the nonprofit covered the remainder. Inside, glass cases display artifacts from famous graves—Basquiat’s paint tubes, Bernstein’s baton—and digital screens pinpoint 46 notable interments, enhancing the experience for the 500,000 annual visitors.

By monetizing tours, art shows and research services, Green‑Wood aims to fund its $21,000‑plus burial fees and $50,000 mausoleum crypts, ensuring long‑term upkeep. The center revives the cemetery’s 19th‑century role as a public green space, now positioned as a revenue‑generating cultural asset.