6. The Cemetery Beneath Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park is built on top of at least 20,000 burials. Most of these bodies were not disinterred, so they still remain under the grass and concrete. In the 18th century, there was a church cemetery and a city potter’s field (a public burial site), where the poor, criminals, and sickly were buried. Twenty-five individuals were discovered inside a vault at the park. This discovery shows that the church plots may have contained large vaults instead of individual burials or burials in trenches.

Washington Square Park was first named the Washington Military Parade Ground after George Washington in 1826. The park hosted the national jubilee of the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and is now home of an additional park house, a dog park, play area, comfort station, lively performers, and talented artists. Perhaps the zombies buried underneath the Washington Square Park will join these performers or accompany you on your stroll through the park!