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
Details: Type-written instructions detailing how the mausoleum is to be erected. The document includes materials to be used, measurements, instructions for waterproofing, alterations, specifics for doors and windows, how stones and materials are to be set. Each page is signed and approved and specifies where materials are to be selected from.
Drawing Material: Typewritten on thin paper, with a purple and red ink. The cover letter is typed in black and red ink on thick paper (on company letterhead).
Materials Noted: Concrete, stone, granite, cement, marble, glass, bronze and slate
Notes/Markings: Page 1 of the document has handwritten additions that state, “drawings, details, specifications section.” This is initialed.
Condition: very good, paper has yellowed over time; one clip at the top of the document on the left-hand side is missing.
Scale: ½” = 1’
Details: front view and entrance to mausoleum. Steps lead up to the main doors with family name “MICHEL,” directly above on the lintel. There are two Greek style vases on each side of the entrance. The roof has a peaked top below four gables with a four-course dome above it. The top of the dome culminates with a sculptured ornament. Measurements include 8’7” width for the steps.
Size: 18.5” x 20”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Notes/Markings: Handwritten signature of approval on bottom right of plan. #7472 printed on the bottom right of plan
Condition: very good. Puncture holes along left side of plan, some staple holes also along left side of plan.
Details: One of the crypt covers, right side cover, had a bronze wreath near the top. The plans show the end view, side view (7’-8 ½’) and top view (3-6 width x 2 and length of crypts 7’4”). The right side plan notes the floor line and floor slabs below it, with the material slate marked.
Size: 21” x 18”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Materials Noted: Bronze, slate, mortar.
Notes/Markings: Left side of plan, right side crypt cover says, “inscription to be cut on this cover.” Top of plan says #9808. Right side plan notes, “to be mortarized and clamped at corners.”
Condition: Fold lines visible along the back of the plan; two hole on the top some visible creases and rips along the bottom of the plan. 5 stacked crypts cane be seen. Side view of 4 course dome and ornamental topper. Expansion bolts are between the top crypt and start of dome.
Scale: ½” = 1’
Details: Side view of stairs leading up to entrance of mausoleum, noting solid foundation and bottom of steps underneath the steps themselves. Side of lintel visible and five rectangles are shown. The domed roof detail is visible with its four sections and ornamental top. The grade line is also shown.
Size: 18.5” x 23”
Drawing Material: blueprint; pencil on back of blueprint
Notes/Markings: “lettering here” marked on the bottom crypt. “total height 31-6” written along right side of plan. “#7474” printed along bottom right of plan. Back of blueprint has hand-drawn, rough outline of plan with notation for steps and measurements.
Condition: very good. Hole in top left of plan.
Scale: ½” = 1’
Details: Side view of stairs leading up to entrance of mausoleum, noting solid foundation and bottom of steps underneath the steps themselves. Side of lintel visible and five rectangles are shown. The domed roof detail is visible with its four sections and ornamental top. The grade line is also shown.
Size: 21” x 23”
Drawing Material: blueprint
Notes/Markings: “lettering here” marked on the bottom crypt. “total height 31-6” written along right side of plan. “#7474” printed along bottom right of plan. Back of blueprint has hand-drawn, rough outline of plan with notation for steps and measurements.
Condition: Very good. Three puncture holes along left side and staple holes also along the side and bottom left.
Scale: ½” = 1’
Details: Aerial view of base of mausoleum with note of “solid foundation under steps” on the right-hand side of the view. The center of the mausoleum base notes, “Floor to be 1’ thick, 2’-3’ from top of base course to top of concrete (see longitudinal section).” Underneath it also states that the section is to be excavated and filled in with broken stone as per the specifications. The smaller, second blueprint underneath the main aerial view is a side view of the base of the mausoleum shown the depth and measurements of the foundation, all to be masonry.
Size: 21” x 23.5”
Drawing Material: blueprint
Materials Noted: Concrete, stone, granite
Notes/Markings: Additional pencil marking to measurements in a large oval around the aerial view
Condition: holes in the left side of the blueprint, with frayed edges and the bottom right-hand corner is missing. Some of the notes have faded.
Scale: ½” = 1’
Details: This plan is the same as the prior plan (E). For original blueprint notes see above.
Size: 21” x23.5”
Drawing Material: blueprint, orange pencil
Materials Noted: Concrete, stone, granite
Notes/Markings: this version of the foundation blueprint has orange measurements and broken lines throughout, on both the top and bottom plans. Most orange notes are on the top aerial view plan.
Condition: Left side of the blueprint has a small piece ripped away and there is a hole on the upper left side. The bottom right-hand corner is missing and the bottom is slightly frayed. There is a small tear on the left hand side of the plan, with it taped together on the back.
Scale: ½” = 1’
Details: Aerial view of the layout of the mausoleum. Stairs lead up to the interior mausoleum. At the top of the stairs flanking each corner of the mausoleum, are vases measuring 2’-0 in diameter. The floor is laid out with red westerly granite. There are 5 catacombs on the left and right-hand side, with two crypts. Both crypts have Greek style wreaths at the top.
Size: 21” x 22.5”
Drawing Material: blueprint
Materials Noted: Granite
Notes/Markings: the signed and approved is done in orange pencil.
Condition: Very good. Three puncture holes along the left-hand side of the blueprint, with small staple holes on the bottom left and side-left of the print.
Scale: ½” = 1’
Details: Aerial view of the domed room and surrounding mausoleum area. The dome itself shows four larger circles and a small inner circle.
Size: 21” x 23”
Drawing Material: blueprint
Notes/Markings: Signed and approved in orange pencil.
Condition: Very good. 2 puncture holes along the left side of the blueprint with staple holes also running along the left side and corner of bottom left. The back of the blueprint shows some minor water damage and stains.
Scale: ½” = 1’
Details: Side view of the outer wall of the mausoleum, showing the stairs. The roof has a peaked top with a four-course dome above it. The top of the dome culminates with a sculptured ornament. The side of the mausoleum has two Greek style vases on each side of the entrance. A small side view of the ornamental lintel above the entrance to the mausoleum is also seen.
Size: 21” x 23”
Drawing Material: blueprint
Notes/Markings: the signature and approval are written in orange pencil.
Condition: The back of the blueprint shows some water damage. The left-hand side has three puncture holes in it and staple holes along the bottom left and left side.
Scale: ½” = 1’
Details: This blueprint shows the back of the mausoleum. Two Greek style vases flank the back walls. There is a decorative piece in the center of the back wall. The back of the roof has a peaked top with a four-course dome above it. The top of the dome culminates with a sculptured ornament.
Size: 20.5” x 23”
Drawing Material: blueprint
Notes/Markings: Approved signature and date are in orange pencil.
Condition: Very good. Three puncture holes run down the left-hand side of the blueprint, with smaller staple holes also along the bottom left and side left. There is some minor water damage along the back of the blueprint.
Scale: ½” = 1’
Details: lined breakdown of each section of the front of the mausoleum. Five equal squares flank both sides of the doorway. The lintel above the door is split into 7 sections and the roof and dome are split into section with the ornamental domed roof top also shown. The bottom of the plan notes the concrete thickness of 1’.
Size: 20.5” x 23”
Drawing Material: blueprint
Materials Noted: Concrete
Notes/Markings: approved and signed written in orange pencil.
Condition: Very good. Three puncture holes along left side with staple holes also running along the left side.
Scale: ½” = 1’
Details: Back view shows domed roof with ornamental top and concrete foundation of 1’ thick. The top center of the blueprint has a cherub above what looks to be a large rectangle. Vents are marked on the lower left of the drawing and slate “shelves” (hard to make out the exact word), written on the bottom left square.
Size: 21” x 23”
Drawing Material: blueprint
Materials Noted: Concrete, slate
Notes/Markings: signed and approved in orange pencil.
Condition: Very good. Three puncture holes run along the left-hand side and smaller staple holes also run along the bottom left side of the plan.
Scale: ½” = 1’
Details: Back view shows domed roof with ornamental top and concrete foundation of 1’ thick. The top center of the blueprint has a cherub above what looks to be a large rectangle. Vents are marked on the lower left of the drawing and slate “shelves” (hard to make out the exact word), written on the bottom left square.
Drawing Material: blueprint
Notes/Markings: only difference from M is that the signed and approved is in black pen.
Condition: Very good. Three hole puncture marks along left-hand side and small staple hole on bottom left.
Scale: ½” = 1’
Drawing Material: blueprint
