Hart Island

This is the story of Hart Island, the Bronx, in the Long Island Sound, commonly referred to as Potter’s Field. its history is more than fascinating. After the purchase of the island measuring approximately one mile long and one-eight to one-third of a mile wide, by the City in 1868, Hart Island has served as cemetery, a charge, a hospital for women, an insane asylum, and a jail. During World War II the Island was turned over to the Navy. Later it served for housing of male derelicts, as a NIKE missile base for the U.S. Army, for a narcotic rehabilitation program, and finally as a cemetery again. Today, the in mate work details is are buced from Rikers Island to perform the burials, disinterments, and maintenance of the Island. Since 1869, more than 750,000 burials have been performed. Hart Island is not open to the public Well-known New York based photographer Joel Sternfeld has created a series of Color photographs, which are complemented by installations of artist Melinda Hunt. The book represents a unique discovery, a compelling documentation of an unknown territory right on the doorstep of New York City.