Black History Month – Notable Feature (2)

Feb 22, 2019 | Notes from Cypress Hills, Notable feature, Observances/Holidays

Aida Overton-Walker Known as the “Queen of the Cakewalk”, Ms. Walker was a prominent African American vaudevillian in the early 1900’s. Performing as an actress, singer, dancer and choreographer, her success was...

Black History Month – Notable Feature

Feb 11, 2019 | Notable feature, Notes from Cypress Hills, Observances/Holidays

Edwin R. Woodriffe Edwin R. Woodriffe was born in Brooklyn in 1941. After graduating from Fordham University and working in the Treasury Department, he went on to accept a position with the FBI as a Special Agent. ...

Celebrating Black History Month

Jan 23, 2019 | Notable feature, Events, Notes from Cypress Hills, Observances/Holidays

Cypress Hills Cemetery celebrates Black History Month all February long by highlighting the lives of notable African Americans resting at Cypress Hills

Notable Feature: A. G. Badger

May 12, 2017 | Notable feature, Notes from Cypress Hills

Alfred G. Badger 1814-1892 Alfred Badger was a flute specialist who manufactured flutes in the mid 1840’s. He is famous for inventing a new cylindrical bore Boehm system flute in America. His flutes are still sought after by musicians and enthusiasts. He is...

Black History Month – Notable Feature (week 3)

Feb 15, 2017 | Events, Notable feature, Notes from Cypress Hills

Wallace Turnage Born: 1846 Died: 1916 The story of Wallace Turnage is quite an amazing one. As a slave at the age of seventeen in Alabama, Turnage attempted escape four times before successfully managing to walk 25 miles to an...

Black History Month – Notable Feature (week 2)

Feb 9, 2017 | Events, Notable feature, Notes from Cypress Hills, Observances/Holidays

Ethel Cuff Black Born: 1890 Died: 1977 Ethel Cuff Black was an amazing soul, dedicated to the furtherance of her community and youth. While attending Howard University, she was chairwoman of the collegiate chapter of the YWCA. Later, along...

Black History Month – Notable Feature (week 1)

Feb 1, 2017 | Events, Notable feature, Notes from Cypress Hills, Observances/Holidays

In celebration of Black History Month, each week in February, Cypress Hills Cemetery will be highlighting the achievements of various African American notables. James McCune Smith Born: April 18, 1813 Died: November 17, 1865 Renowned...

Black History Month – Notable feature (week 4)

Feb 22, 2016 | Notable feature, Notes from Cypress Hills, Observances/Holidays

Elizabeth Jennings Graham Born: 1826 Died: 1902 One hundred and one years prior to Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat on the bus, Elizabeth Jennings Graham fought for her right to ride on a segregated New York City streetcar and...

Black History Month – Notable feature (week 3)

Feb 16, 2016 | Notable feature, Notes from Cypress Hills, Observances/Holidays

Eubie Blake Born: February 7th, 1883 Died: February 12th, 1983 This week, we feature an incredible artist whose talent and musical longevity are beyond comprehension. Eubie Blake’s music focused on ragtime and early jazz culture. His prowess at...

Black History Month – Notable feature (week 2)

Feb 8, 2016 | Notable feature, Notes from Cypress Hills, Observances/Holidays

Charlotte E. Ray Born: January 13th, 1850 Died: January 4th, 1911 Last week we featured a man who paved the way for African Americans in sports by breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball. This week, we highlight another...

Black History Month – Notable feature

Feb 1, 2016 | Notable feature, Observances/Holidays

Jackie Robinson Born: January 31st, 1919 Died: October 24th, 1972 Jackie Robinson stepped out onto the baseball diamond at Ebbets Field on April 15, 1947 becoming the first African-American to play in Major League baseball. From that moment on, he broke the color...

Notable Feature – James McCune Smith

Jan 7, 2014 | Notable feature, Notes from Cypress Hills

James McCune Smith was born in 1813 in New York City. He was a physician, apothecary, as well as an active abolitionist. Most notably, Smith was the first African-American to earn a medical degree in the United States. For more info, visit this link:...