Ring in the new school year with a look at the hidden history inside your pencil case. Those age-old writing tools may seem humdrum, but in the early years of pencil production in America, the tiny tools were the focus of fierce competition. American companies, including several in New York, vied for customers through new ideas, designs, and advertisements. In Green-Wood’s Historic Chapel, we’ll explore the history, development, and simple appeal of the pencil with Caroline Weaver, lifelong pencil enthusiast and owner of the new Lower East Side shop CW Pencils. Caroline will discuss the crowded pencil market of the 19th and early 20th century, including the innovations of successful pencil man Eberhard Faber, buried at Green-Wood in 1879. Beautiful and varied examples of pencils from Caroline’s personal collection will be on display, along with historic advertisements and other objects. After the talk, the Green-Wood trolley will bring you to Faber’s monument to pay your respect to the pencil king – and do a grave rubbing using some of his storied graphite, too.

This event has two parts, with separate tickets for each part:

The free talk in the historic Green-Wood chapel. A guided trolley tour immediately following the talk. Tickets are $15 for members of the Green-Wood Historic Fund and BHS and $20 for non-members.

Please include both free talk tickets and trolley tour tickets in your order if you would like to attend both parts of the event. Seating is limited for both the talk and the trolley tour, and reservations are recommended.

Green-Wood trolley tours are fully accessible and ADA compliant.

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