By Nathalie Belkin, Lead Processor; Gabriella Carl-Johnson, Kay Menick, Sara Fetherolf, Erin Allsop, Jessica Mack, and Katie Alleman, Interns
Title: Architectural Drawings and Blueprints, c. 1880s-1990s
Predominant Dates:1910-1930s
Extent: 0.0
Subjects: A. Faranda and Son, Acea family, Agoglia family, Altar to Liberty: Minerva, Architectural Drawings, Architecture, Arnold, K.F., Arnold, N.B., Arnold family, Art nouveau (Architecture), Bahrenburg, John H., Bahrenburg family, Barclay family, Barrow, ME James T., Barrow family, Barthman family, Beaux-Arts architecture, Benisch Bros. Monumental Works, Blueprints, Bourne family, Bromell family, Brown, John W., Brown family, Buildings--Design and construction, C.E. Tayntor & Co., Cemeteries--New York (State)--New York--History, Cinerary urns, Colyer family, Cushman, Eugene, Cutting, James D.W., Cutting family, Daly, Margaret, Daly family, Davis Granite Co, Architects and Contractors, de Aldama family, DeLaCour and Ferrara, Delafield, Major Rich D., Delafield family, Dewey family, Doerschuck family, Dunne family, Egyptian revival (Architecture), Euler family, Farrington, Gould and Hoagland, Feitner, John, Felzmann family, Flagg, Ernest, Gilbert family, Goodnough family, Gothic revival (Architecture), Gould, J. R, Gould, James S., Gould family, Green-Wood Cemetery--New York, N.Y., Greve family, Griswold family, Hapgood family, Harder family, Harrison Granite Co., Havemeyer family, Heins and La Farge Architects, Higgins, Charles, Higgins family, Hillside architecture, Hoffman & Prochazka, Designers, Sculptors, and Builders, Horn, Alfred E., Horn family, Howland family, John Thatcher & Son, Kampfe family, Kenneth, W.D., Lawrence family, Lingard family, Ludlum, Emma R., Ludlum family, Martin, Robert, Martin family, Mausoleums, McAlpin family, Murdock family, Obelisks, Parish family, Parsons family, Penn Brass and Bronze Works, Pitbladdo Monumental Works, Polak family, Presbrey-Coykendall Company, Presbrey-Leland Monument Company, Renwick, Aspinwall, and Tucker, Reynolds family, Riley family, Ritzheimer family, Robinson, F. Delancey, Romanesque architecture, Rosanelli family, Ruckstull, F. W. (Fred Wellington), 1853-1942, Sands family, Sarcophagi, Sculpture and architecture, Sepulchral chapels, Sepulchral monuments, Victorian, Sepulchral monuments--New York (State)--New York, Sepulchral monuments--United States, Sepulchral monuments industry, Smallman, Thomas F., Smallman family, Somers family, Stephens, Annie W., Stephens, Benjamin F., Stephens family, Stevenson family, Stone, Gould, & Co, Designers and Builders, Sullivan, John W., Sullivan family, Texter family, Tiefel family, Tombs & sepulchral monuments, Torrio, Johnny, Torrio Family, Umberto Innocenti and Richard K. Webel, Landscape Architects, Underground architecture, Upjohn, Hobart, VanRensselaer family, Vaults (Sepulchral), W.F. Benedict & Son, W.W. Leland Co. Inc., Walsh, James F., Warren & Wetmore, Wesselman family, Wood family, Woolley family
Languages: English
The Architectural Drawings and Blueprints collection contains over 150 separate series of designs, each of which has one to around 20 individual drawings. Each series represents designs for a mausoleum or other architectural feature at Green-Wood Cemetery.
Most of the designs are for private family mausoleums, although the collection also includes blueprint materials for the historic Green-Wood chapel designed by Warren & Wetmore, alterations made to the Fifth Avenue gate, and plans for the mid-twentieth-century Columbarium. Other notable features in the collection include the Higgins mausoleum series, which contains photographs and early designs of the famous Battle Hill monument Altar to Liberty: Minerva by sculptor F. Wellington Ruxell. Many additional series may include more famous names in New York City history, such as those for the Cooper-Hewitt family and the Torrio family.
The majority of these drawings are printed on large blueprint paper, although there are a significant number of series that contain original drawings on tracing paper or drafting linen, as well as prints on Mylar, photocopy paper, or other reproduction materials. Many series also contain specifications documents—legal agreements between the architectural firm and the cemetery, which outline the plans, materials, and workman regulations for construction. In some cases, there is additional material, such as correspondence with lot owners and alternate mausoleum designs.
The collection’s dates range from the 1880s to the 1990s; the majority of the mausoleum designs were created between 1910 and 1930, at a time when it was widely popular among upper-class families to have a mausoleum or vault in which to inter their deceased relatives. Many architects of the time specialized in mausoleum design. Architectural firms that produced a large number of mausoleum designs in this collection include the Presbrey-Leland Monument Company, John Feitner Architects, and the Harrison Granite Company.
Researchers may wish to consult a specific series, which can give an interesting insight into the family in question, or they may wish to look at multiple series in the collection, in order to gain an example of the way construction and design aesthetics changed over time. The collection is a particularly valuable example of the way cemetery architecture developed in its golden years, particularly because many of the wealthiest and most prestigious New York families chose to be interred at Green-Wood.
The collection is currently stored in two locations—some material is in the Green-Wood archives, while many other blueprints are kept in the surveyor’s office of the administrative building. The container list has additional information on each item in this significant and highly variable collection, including notes on the date of designs, the architectural firm that created the drawings, and information on the size, condition, markings, and design features of each piece. All blueprint materials have been scanned and are digitally available; a preview of the image file is attached to each item. High-resolution images of each scan are available upon request.
The material is in varying condition, and embrittled drawings have been encapsulated in Mylar to ensure preservation.
The Green-Wood archives hold additional records acquired from the Presbrey-Leland Monument Company relating to Green-Wood Cemetery, and researchers may find it useful to consult this collection in conjunction with the Architectural Drawings and Blueprints.
A. Faranda and Son
Acea family
Agoglia family
Altar to Liberty: Minerva
Architectural Drawings
Architecture
Arnold, K.F.
Arnold, N.B.
Arnold family
Art nouveau (Architecture)
Bahrenburg, John H.
Bahrenburg family
Barclay family
Barrow, ME James T.
Barrow family
Barthman family
Beaux-Arts architecture
Benisch Bros. Monumental Works
Blueprints
Bourne family
Bromell family
Brown, John W.
Brown family
Buildings--Design and construction
C.E. Tayntor & Co.
Cemeteries--New York (State)--New York--History
Cinerary urns
Colyer family
Cushman, Eugene
Cutting, James D.W.
Cutting family
Daly, Margaret
Daly family
Davis Granite Co, Architects and Contractors
de Aldama family
DeLaCour and Ferrara
Delafield, Major Rich D.
Delafield family
Dewey family
Doerschuck family
Dunne family
Egyptian revival (Architecture)
Euler family
Farrington, Gould and Hoagland
Feitner, John
Felzmann family
Flagg, Ernest
Gilbert family
Goodnough family
Gothic revival (Architecture)
Gould, J. R
Gould, James S.
Gould family
Green-Wood Cemetery--New York, N.Y.
Greve family
Griswold family
Hapgood family
Harder family
Harrison Granite Co.
Havemeyer family
Heins and La Farge Architects
Higgins, Charles
Higgins family
Hillside architecture
Hoffman & Prochazka, Designers, Sculptors, and Builders
Horn, Alfred E.
Horn family
Howland family
John Thatcher & Son
Kampfe family
Kenneth, W.D.
Lawrence family
Lingard family
Ludlum, Emma R.
Ludlum family
Martin, Robert
Martin family
Mausoleums
McAlpin family
Murdock family
Obelisks
Parish family
Parsons family
Penn Brass and Bronze Works
Pitbladdo Monumental Works
Polak family
Presbrey-Coykendall Company
Presbrey-Leland Monument Company
Renwick, Aspinwall, and Tucker
Reynolds family
Riley family
Ritzheimer family
Robinson, F. Delancey
Romanesque architecture
Rosanelli family
Ruckstull, F. W. (Fred Wellington), 1853-1942
Sands family
Sarcophagi
Sculpture and architecture
Sepulchral chapels
Sepulchral monuments, Victorian
Sepulchral monuments--New York (State)--New York
Sepulchral monuments--United States
Sepulchral monuments industry
Smallman, Thomas F.
Smallman family
Somers family
Stephens, Annie W.
Stephens, Benjamin F.
Stephens family
Stevenson family
Stone, Gould, & Co, Designers and Builders
Sullivan, John W.
Sullivan family
Texter family
Tiefel family
Tombs & sepulchral monuments
Torrio, Johnny
Torrio Family
Umberto Innocenti and Richard K. Webel, Landscape Architects
Underground architecture
Upjohn, Hobart
VanRensselaer family
Vaults (Sepulchral)
W.F. Benedict & Son
W.W. Leland Co. Inc.
Walsh, James F.
Warren & Wetmore
Wesselman family
Wood family
Woolley family
Date: Document is undated, except for one typed year, "1920".
Details: The specifications document lays out all the general conditions of the contractors and the materials to be used. The last page is a contract of payment written up by the contractor, Memorials Art Company, Inc. but is unsigned by the Executor.
Size: 12” x 14”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Materials Noted: Granite, marble, bronze and glass.
Notes/Markings: Signature of the Memorial Arts Company, Inc. on the last two pages.
Condition: Very good (all 3). They are clear, readable and only a little dirty from age.
Details: There is a square, cream stamp in the center of the blueprint that has a stamp inside it which reads: “THIS DESIGN IS THE PROPERTY OF MEMORIALS ART COMPANY, INC. BUFFALO, N.Y., AND MUST BE RETURNED UPON REQUEST. “
Size: 19” x 16.4”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Condition: Good. The blueprint is very faded with large holes on the left side of the plan, but since it is just a stamp for of the architect, it is readable.
Scale: 1” = 1ft
Details: This blueprint has the entrance way to the mausoleum outlined with double doors which each have an ornate design on them - the doors have upper panels with plate glass and bronze grills over them; below are two door knockers with a rectangular design. Above the doors is the family name in block letters on the lintel. On the first slab of the flat roof is a design into the wall which looks like angel wings meeting in a circle in the morning.
Size: 19.5” x 18.8”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Condition: Very good. The blueprint is clear with only minor wear and tear along the edges. There is a tear in the paper along the top left side and staple holes along the left side of the plan - neither of these things make the blueprint unreadable.
This blueprint is very similar to Item C in this series.
Details: This drawing is slightly smaller than Item C, and the bronze door is barely visible.
Size: 18.5” x 15.8”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Materials Noted: Bronze
Notes/Markings: On the faded door design is the handwritten note “bronze door.”
Condition: Very Good - just very faded. All dimensions and outlines are readable. There are three large punched holes along the left side of the plan.
Details: This plan outlines the inner floor plan of the mausoleum itself. The left side of the plan shows the entrance way and notes the door’s inward swing. This leads to a granite floor with crypts on either side of the inner mausoleum. The outer walls of the plan are also noted.
Size: 18.5” x 16”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Materials Noted: Brick, slate, granite, marble, bronze.
Notes/Markings: The number 5 is printed on the bottom right corner.
Condition: Very good. Slightly faded, but very readable. There are three punched holes along the left side of the plan.
Details: From this view a clear outline of the walls, vents and back stained glass window are shown. This window is decorated with a flower design in the center. The flat roof with parapet is also shown. The foundation is made up of concrete and brick.
Size: 18.9” x 15.5”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Materials Noted: Brick, Concrete, Glass
Condition: Very good. The paper is just rather faded, but very readable. There are three large punched holes along the left side of the plan. There is a printed number 7 on the bottom right corner.
Details: From this view four crypts with a bronze rosette on each end of them are visible. The outline of the stained glass window at the back of the mausoleum is also visible. The entrance way to the mausoleum shows the outline of a column and the flat roof with the parapet.
Size: 18.8” x 15.8”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Materials Noted: Marble and bronze.
Notes/Markings: “Bronze rosettes” with an arrow pointing to one within the plan is marked. “Marble” is also written in the center of one of the crypts.
Condition: Very Good. Faded with age, but still readable. There are three punched holes along the left side of the plan, with the center hole ripped to the edge.
Scale: 1” = 1ft
Date: July 21, 1921 (blueprint printed date) & August 8, 1921 (Green-Wood approved date)
Details: The outside back wall of the mausoleum is shown here with slabs making up the wall. The center has a window opening with a decorative bronze grille over the opening. The flat roof and parapet are also shown.
Size: 19.5” x 19”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Notes/Markings: In pencil above the printed window it says: “Extend Window 6” in height.”
Condition: Very Good. Small staple holes along the left side of the plan.
Duplicate of Item H in this series. The only difference is that the window extension is not noted on this drawing.
Size: 18.6” x 16”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Materials Noted: Bronze
Condition: Fair. The blueprint is very faded with a fold corner on the bottom right side. The left side has three holes punched.
Scale: 1”=1ft.
Date: July 21, 1921 (blueprint printed date) & August 8, 1921 (Green-Wood approved date).
Details: This side wall made up of large slabs of concrete is shown with bronze vents - there are two on the top and two on the bottom. Bronze joint covers are also noted on the top before the parapet of the roof.
Size: 19.1” x 19”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Materials Noted: Bronze
Condition: Very Good. Minor wear and tear along the top left corner. There are small staple holes along the left side.
Duplicate of Item J in this series. The only difference is that this drawing does not show bronze joint covers on the top near the parapet.
Size: 18.9” x 15.8”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Materials Noted: Bronze
Condition: Fair. Very faded, but readable. There are small staple holes and three large holes punched in the blueprint along the left side.
Details: This lays out the entire floor of the mausoleum and the foundation work to be done.
Size: 16” x 18.5”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Notes/Markings: The top of the plan says, “dotted line indicates brick support.” The center of the plan says, “dotted line indicates floor slab.”
Condition: Fair. The plan is very faded but readable. There are three large punched holes and smaller staple holes along the left side of the plan.
Details:
Plan: It is different from “E” in this section as the view it shows is slightly different with different notes on it. Inside the main square of this plan are three rectangles - two thinner, one large and all three have the words, “NOT TO BE EXCAVATED” written in them.
Sketch View: This shows the depth of the foundation with the three rectangles outlined in the center.
Size: 23.9” x 15.1”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Notes/Markings: the back of this blueprint has two pencil-drawn sketches. There is also an “Answered” stamp by greenwood with the date August 23, 1921 at 9.22AM on it.
Condition: Fair. There are visible folds with tape to strengthen the paper along the back. The plan is also very faded and there are staple holes along the left side.
Duplicate of Item G in this series.
Scale: 1” = 1ft.
Date: July 21, 1921 (blueprint date) & August 8, 1921 (Green-Wood approved date)
Size: 19.8” x 19”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Condition: Very Good. There seem to be faded and light colored lines through the center of the plan, but they do not affect the readability of the plan. There are staple holes along the left side of the plan.
Scale: 1” = 1ft
Date: July 21, 1921 (blueprint date) & August 8, 1921 (Green-Wood approval date)
Details: This blueprint is a very detailed section of the mausoleum. The below ground foundation walls are noted with the inner part of the mausoleum shown divided into various squares with three larger one in the center. The window is shown in the center with a part of the decorative bronze grille outlined. The outer wall is also outlined and as well as the flat roof.
Size: 19.5” x 19”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Condition: Very Good. There is a slight curl at the top left corner of the plan with small staple holes along that side too.
Similar to Item E in this series.
Scale: 1” = 1ft.
Date: July 21, 1921 (blueprint date) & August 8, 1921 (Green-Wood approval date)
Details: Slightly different from “E” in this series, this plan outlines the granite floor and swing of the doors. The wall between the inner and outside of the mausoleum are shown shaded. The frame of the back window is also noted.
Size: 19.5” x 19”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Materials Noted: Granite, brick
Notes/Markings: “GRANITE FLOOR AXED” written in center; “DOUBLE FRAME” written by window frame outline.
Condition: Very Good. The blueprint is clear with only small staple holes along the left side of the plan.