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
Scale: 1” = 1’
Details: There are steps leading to the doorway with two colonial columns flanking each side of the doors. Above the doorway is the family name in thick capital letters - above is a note that the letters are 6” and raised ⅝”. The roof has a long rectangular part with a triangular space and peaked roof at the top.
Size: 20” x 20”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Materials Noted: Bronze
Condition: Good. The blueprint is faded and there are visible tears in the paper going through the drawing. Visible wear and tear along the edges of the paper. There are staple holes along the top of the plan.
Details: There are steps leading to the doorway with two colonial columns flanking each side of the doors. Above the doorway is the family name in thick capital letters - above is a note that the letters are 6” and raised ⅝”. The roof has a long rectangular part with a triangular space and peaked roof at the top.
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Condition: Good. Visible tears around the blueprint and running through the drawing itself. The bottom left side of the plan is very faded, when compared to the rest of the plan.
Details: This plan is very detailed with notes included as part of the blueprint throughout the plan. The mausoleum has a concrete bed and brick foundation. A granite floor is next with slate to the left and right of the floor. Marble wainscoting is noted around the edges of the main floor. A stained glass window is marked out with “Pattern to be Selected” also written. To the left and right of the floor are 4 equal-sized vaults. Behind these is a 1” thick wall. Air vents are at the top of the mausoleum, below the roof.
Size: 16.5” x 20”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Materials Noted: Brick, granite, concrete, marble, glass, and slate.
Notes/Markings: Two pencil marks outline an already included part of the blueprint on the top of the blueprint - the roof.
Condition: Very good. The paper is faded, but that does not affect the plan. There are minor tear lines visible along the top and small staple holes also visible along the top.
Details: This plan is very detailed with notes included as part of the blueprint throughout the plan. The mausoleum has a concrete bed and brick foundation. A granite floor is next with slate to the left and right of the floor. Marble wainscoting is noted around the edges of the main floor. A stained glass window is marked out with “Pattern to be Selected” also written. To the left and right of the floor are 4 equal-sized vaults. Behind these is a 1” thick wall. Air vents are at the top of the mausoleum, below the roof.
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Condition: Very good. Paper is faded, but it does not affect the blueprint at all.
Scale: 1” = 1’
Details: This side view shows the view of the sidewall base of the mausoleum and one of the colonial-style columns that is visible from the side view. Two vents are visible along the bottom and two along the top of the plan. The side view of the flat part of the roof is visible on the plan.
Size: 20.5” x 19.5”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Condition: Good. The plan itself is clear. The blueprint paper has many visible tears and rips around all the edges. There are staple holes along the top of the plan.
Details: This side view shows the view of the sidewall base of the mausoleum and one of the colonial-style columns that is visible from the side view. Two vents are visible along the bottom and two along the top of the plan. The side view of the flat part of the roof is visible on the plan.
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Condition: Good. The plan itself is visible. The paper has visible tearing and rips.
Details: The back of the plan notes the raised main mausoleum by stairs. The back wall is made out of cement slabs with a window that has a brass grill in it. The back of the roof is also noted with three pieces making up the triangular top.
Size: 18” x 20”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Materials Noted: Bronze
Notes/Markings: Along the bottom of the plan, on the top step, is a small line that has been drawn in after the blueprint was made.
Condition: Very good. The blueprint looks as though it has been cut off along the right side from a second half of the plan as the scale is not visible but the words “scale” are. There are rips in the bottom corners of the plan.
Details: The back of the plan notes the raised main mausoleum by stairs. The back wall is made out of cement slabs with a window that has a brass grill in it. The back of the roof is also noted with three pieces making up the triangular top.
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Condition: Excellent. Better condition than the above duplicate.
Scale: 1”= 1’
Details: From this view the entire side of the mausoleum and entrance way is laid out. From the left side: the very first step is noted as a platform; the colonial-style column sits on the top step of the entrance way. The column reaches from the top step to the base of the roof. The doorway is marked out as opening at 6’9”. The doorway also rests from the bottom of the top step to the base of the roof. The inside of the mausoleum notes 4 rectangular crypts, each with two bronze rosettes on each end of them. The back wall has a window in the center made with stained glass in the window and a bronze grille. The foundation of the mausoleum sits on a concrete bed.
Size: 20” x 20”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Materials Noted: Bronze, marble, glass, concrete
Notes/Markings: A bronze ceiling hanger is noted at the top of the plan, with a marble ceiling also noted on the top of the plan.
Condition: Very good. There is noticeable wear and tear around the edges, with small tears along the sides and bottom of plan, but the actual diagram itself is very clear and not affected by the wear and tear.
Details: From this view the entire side of the mausoleum and entrance way is laid out. From the left side: the very first step is noted as a platform; the colonial-style column sits on the top step of the entrance way. The column reaches from the top step to the base of the roof. The doorway is marked out as opening at 6’9”. The doorway also rests from the bottom of the top step to the base of the roof. The inside of the mausoleum notes 4 rectangular crypts, each with two bronze rosettes on each end of them. The back wall has a window in the center made with stained glass in the window and a bronze grille. The foundation of the mausoleum sits on a concrete bed.
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Condition: Good. The corners of the blueprint have suffered some wear and tear with the top left corner missing - not affecting the drawing at all.
Details: From the bottom (front of mausoleum) up through to the top (back of mausoleum) of the plan, there are two columns on each side of the entrance way. The columns are noted as 1’6” each in diameter. From the doorway, the inside of the mausoleum is made of marble and granite with large rectangular spaces on either side of the mausoleum. The back wall has a stained glass window with a bronze grille. The rest of the plan is the outline of the walls of the mausoleum.
Size: 17.5” x 20”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Materials Noted: Bronze, marble, granite, and glass.
Condition: Very good. There is noticeable wear and tear around the edges of the plan but it is minor. There are holes along the top of the plan and rip lines visible.
Details: From the top left, going clockwise: The top foundation plan lays out the grade line and steps upwards. The plan next to it shows a side view of this. The largest of the plans, on the bottom, shows top rock going in an outward curled shape.
Size: 15.4” x 8.5”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Materials Noted: Rock
Condition: Very good. Some staple holes and small holes along the top of the plan. The blueprint is slightly faded, but very readable.
Details: From the top left, going clockwise: The top foundation plan lays out the grade line and steps upwards. The plan next to it shows a side view of this. The largest of the plans, on the bottom, shows top rock going in an outward curled shape.
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Condition: Very good. Some staple holes and small holes along the top of the plan. The blueprint is slightly faded, but very readable.
Details: This outlines the layout and foundation of the mausoleum itself, from the entrance to the thick walls of the mausoleum. There are three large rectangles drawn in. The center one is the largest with the outer two having the same height and width until the front half of the rectangle.
Size: 16.5” x 24.5”
Drawing Material: Blueprint
Notes/Markings: Concrete is written in pencil twice on the inside of the plan between the rectangles.
Condition: Very good. Some wear and tear around the edges. The bottom right has a fold and some staining, as with all the corners, but this does not impact the blueprint itself.
