365 Days In A Life - January 13

Sitting on a hill overlooking the Arthur Kill is an abandoned and almost forgotten burial ground. Designated as a city landmark in 1968, today it is cared for by the Friends of Abandoned Cemeteries.

At the edge of the salty marshland leading to the boats you have seen over the last 2 days, is a small cemetery called the Blazing Star Burial Ground. The cemetery houses the final remains of Staten Island residents dating back to the 1750's when the area was the site of a popular ferry crossing and roadhouse. As you stroll among the small plot of ancient gravestones it's hard not to wonder about the inhabitants who made this once-pristine vista their final resting place. Buried here are some members of the founding families of Staten Island. Could anyone have imagined how drastically their view would change?

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365 Days In Nature - March 12

This colonial era burial ground is in the woods just by the Arthur Kill (river). Many of the names of founding families of Staten Island can be found on these headstones. You can see some of the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy such as the newly fallen tree. Luckily this burial ground is on a hill and has survived all types of weather (and neglect) for more than 250 years. Today it is looked after by a local society.