Unveiling the Dark History of Hart Island: New York's Secret Cemetery

🏝️Hart Island, a 131-acre island in the Long Island Sound, has served as a burial ground for New York City's population for centuries.

💀Burials on Hart Island primarily consist of unclaimed bodies, orphans, widows, migrants, and those with no one to claim them.

🛠️Over the years, Hart Island has served various purposes, including a workhouse, trade school, psychiatric hospital, and even an amusement park.

🌊The island has faced significant challenges, including natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy and the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

🚢Access to Hart Island remains limited, and it can only be reached by a single ferry route from City Island.

Who is buried on Hart Island?

—Hart Island is primarily used as a burial site for unclaimed bodies, including orphans, widows, migrants, and individuals without anyone to claim them.

What are some of the previous uses of Hart Island?

—Hart Island has served as a workhouse, trade school, psychiatric hospital, and even an attempted amusement park. It also housed Confederate POWs and served as a Navy barracks during World War II.

How has Hart Island been affected by natural disasters?

—Hart Island has faced significant challenges, including damage caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and recent issues during the COVID-19 pandemic as it became the primary burial site for victims.

Can the public visit Hart Island?

—Access to Hart Island is limited, and it can only be reached by a single ferry route from City Island. However, efforts are being made to open the island for public access.

What is the current state of Hart Island?

—Some buildings on the island, such as the chapel and cottage, are being restored for public use. However, other abandoned structures, like the former hospital and prison, remain off-limits due to safety concerns.

00:00Hart Island has served as a burial ground for New York City's population for centuries.

04:51The first people buried on Hart Island were Cadets of the 31st infantry and Confederate POWs.

09:20During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hart Island became the primary burial site for the city's victims.

13:06The chapel and cottage on the island are being restored for public use.

14:07Hart Island is just one example of how cities deal with grave overflow issues.