Hart Island

Hart Island is New York City’s public burial ground.  Over one million people are buried there in a sustainable burial system that was developed during the civil war.  These permanent residents include people who were not claimed by their families, those who could not afford private burials, and victims of disease, including AIDS and COVID.  As a Trustee of the Hart Island Project, Alexandra Barker is working on behalf of the Project’s mission to help formulate a long term plan for New York City’s potters field, which includes increasing access, telling the stories of those buried on the site, and taking the steps to restore the landscape as a natural burial ground.  To that end, BAAO is assisting HIP with providing documents and conducting research on necessary and proposed changes to the existing grounds and buildings on the site, which include a plan to remove derelict structures and increase the grade levels to protect against storm surge and to provide additional burial space.

Location:

• Bronx, New York

Image Credits:

• BAAO