Hidden in Plain Sight: The Secret History of the New Haven Green
Welcome back to another journey through time! Today, we are exploring the New Haven Green in Connecticut, a location that perfectly blends travel, history, and leadership lessons. Established in 1638, this site is recognized as the oldest and most famous town green in the country and is a designated National Historic Landmark.
A Hub of Early American Life
Long before it was a park surrounded by Yale University, the New Haven Green was known as “the marketplace“. It was the center of civic life, once housing a watch house for security, a prison, a school, and a succession of state houses from the era when New Haven and Hartford served as co-capitals of Connecticut.
The Green also holds deep military significance. This is the very field where Benedict Arnold drilled the New Haven militia. Interestingly, while Arnold is a controversial figure, his first wife remains buried right here on the Green.
The Cemetery Beneath Your Feet
Perhaps the most startling fact about the New Haven Green is what lies beneath the grass. For the first 150 years of the city’s history, this area served as the primary burial ground. However, by the late 1700s, the cemetery became overcrowded and was considered a public health risk.
Local leader James Hillhouse stepped in to address the crisis, leading to the creation of the Grove Street Cemetery—the first planned cemetery in the United States. While the tombstones were moved to the new cemetery, the bodies were not. Due to the cost and the state of the remains, 5,000 to 10,000 bodies are estimated to still be buried under the Green today.
This history was vividly brought back to the public’s attention in 2012 during Hurricane Sandy, when an uprooted historic tree revealed human remains and skulls tangled in its roots.
Visible Remnants and Historic Connections
If you want to see the only visible evidence of this ancient burial ground, you must visit the Center Church. The church was actually built over the cemetery, and its basement crypt still contains the original tombstones of those buried there, giving you a peek into its subterranean history.
The Center Church also boasts a significant connection to Abraham Lincoln. It is said that Lincoln heard an influential anti-slavery sermon there, which helped solidify his resolve to act against slavery.
A Lesson in Leadership
The transformation of the New Haven Green offers a profound leadership lesson: Great leaders must balance progress with respect for the past.
James Hillhouse and the leaders of his time recognized that while the cemetery was a long-standing tradition, it no longer served the needs of the living. They had the courage to change, moving the markers of the past to ensure the health and happiness of future generations.
If you find yourself in New Haven, take a moment to walk the Green. Whether you’re there for the history, the Yale scenery, or even a ghost tour, remember that you are walking on centuries of American heritage.
Uncovering History. Inspiring Leadership. The Travel in Time Show is where travel, history, and leadership intermingle with history teacher, author, and speaker Dan Blanchard
*Check out Dan’s book, “Travel in Time in Connecticut: https://www.amazon.com/Travel-Time-Connecticut-Timeless-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CYM3WB22/
*Watch Dan’s YouTube video on this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VXuxrpzjdA&t=1s
Listen to Dan’s podcast on this episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0eiyNIepDAbClQz34rltdc?si=PlJD0LghT-exL0afp5i_YQ
*See Dan’s Interview with James Hillhouse: (coming soon)
*Learn more about Dan: https://granddaddyssecrets.com/