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
The Green-Wood Cemetery chapel was designed in 1910, with construction completed in 1911. The building was designed by the architectural firm Warren and Wetmore, famous early 20th century architects who were responsible for many influential buildings in New York City, including Grand Central Terminal, the early Chelsea Piers designs, and the elaborately decorated New York Yacht Club building. Construction of the chapel marks an important point in the story of Green-Wood Cemetery, representing an historical moment when the institution had become accepted as an important cultural feature of New York City. “(Quote from brochure?)” The chapel was intended for the use of funeral services and other formal ceremonies at the cemetery, and is in use to this day. The series of chapel blueprints is extensive and includes: detail drawings showing jointing and other design features of the chapel dome; several foundation, ground, and roof plans; all exterior elevations; interior sectional drawings; and topographical survey reports for the construction site. There is specific information on each drawing in the item level listings, including the scale, size, condition, marginal notes, and design details.
(Citation for W&W)
(Further reading for chapel)
Location: Archives, Drawer 1.
Various fragments of Chapel blueprint; unidentified.
Scale: ½”= 1 Foot
Details: Signed “F.G.K”
Size: approx. 12 x 18”
Condition: Edges folded, torn embrittled; holes along left edge from binding.
Markings / Misc. Text: Signed in black ink: “John Thatcher & Son”
Materials Noted: None
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: Drawing indicates simple peaked roof – i.e. rear portion of Chapel building.
Scale: ½”= 1 Foot
Details: Signed “H.D.V”
Size: approx. 12 x 18”
Condition: Upper and lower edges folded and embrittled; several small tears and folds along upper edge; two 2” tears along left edge; three small holes along upper edge of binding.
Markings / Misc. Text: Signed in black ink: “John Thatcher & Son”
Materials Noted: None
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: Spire detailing at peak is heavily encrusted, almost random in pattern and design.
Scale: ½”= 1 Foot
Details: No draftsman or drawing numbers noted
Size: approx. 12 x 18”
Condition: Bottom edge wrinkled from folding; small holes along upper edge from binding; slight tearing and embrittlement along upper edge.
Markings / Misc. Text: Signed in black ink: “John Thatcher & Son”
Materials Noted: None
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: Partial curve of dome indicating stone jointing.
Scale: ½”= 1 Foot
Details: Building No. 350
Size: 16 x 26” [fragment: Clean cut upper half of drawing]
Condition: Lower half of drawing missing – full size layout of drawing, half missing. Vertical crease marks; reverse is stained along crease marks; tearing at edges along crease marks; row of holes along upper edge from binding.
Markings / Misc. Text: None
Materials Noted: None
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on drafting linen
Style / Design Details: Tri-part peaked-arch gothic windows set in octagonal dome. Set below these windows, a secondary interior dome with circular oculi-inset with quatrefoil windows, in each of the domes’ eight sides. Heavily ornamented gothic spires rise from central dome and side turrets.
Scale: ¼”= 1 Foot
Details: “Building No. 350, Drawing No. 1” “Drawn by H.D.V.”
Size: 26 x 34”
Condition: Embrittling around all edges; several large tears damaging integrity: from right upper corner to center, from bottom center to center, from right central edge to center; numerous stains from previous repairs with tape; corners torn and missing at edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: On reverse – Pencil sketch and dimensional calculations
Materials Noted: None
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: Four octagonal turrets at corners, situated around central space, which appears slightly octagonal – i.e. rectangle with inset corners at foundation level; secondary rectangular space at rear of building.
Scale: ¼”= 1 Foot
Details: “Building No. 350, Drawing No. 1” “Drawn by H.D.V.”
Size: 26 x 34”
Condition: All edges torn and embrittled. Lower edge folded and torn; center tile block is torn and missing; black ink spot on lower portion of plan; several tears 2-3” along right edge; row of small holes at upper edge from binding; superficial pencil marks on right side of drawing; paper is weakened along center line.
Markings / Misc. Text: Signed in black ink “John Thatcher & Son”
Materials Noted: Concrete
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: Four octagonal turrets at corners, situated around central space, which appears slight octagonal – i.e. rectangle with inset corners. Secondary rectangular space at rear of building.
Scale: ¼”= 1 Foot
Details: “Building No. 350, Drawing No. 2” “Drawn by H.D.V.”
Size: 26 x 34”
Condition: Embrittling at right of bottom edges; 1-2” section missing at upper right edge; lower edges cracked, pieces missing; left edge slightly faded; water damaged with some embrittling; 2” tear at ledge edge; tape marks at right.
Markings / Misc. Text: Signed in black ink “John Thatcher & Son”; noted in pencil at center of Chapel drawing: “32 x 44 x 44’ Ceiling”
Materials Noted: Stone, brick, concrete, terra cotta block
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Scale: ¼”= 1 Foot
Details: “Building No. 350, Drawing No. 2” “Drawn by H.D.V.”
Size: 26 x 34”
Condition: Embrittling along all edges; large tears at upper right edge toward centerand at center of bottom edge; stained from previous tape repair.
Markings / Misc. Text: No supplemental markings or text
Materials Noted: Stone, brick, concrete, terra cotta block
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: None
Scale: ¼”= 1 Foot
Details: “Building No. 350, Drawing No. 3” “Drawn by H.D.V.”
Size: 26 x 34”
Condition: Embrittling along all edges, some folding and tearing; large (6” +) tears at upper right and lower left edges; 3” tear at center of lower edge through title block, with staining from previous repair with adhesive tape.
Markings / Misc. Text: None
Materials Noted: None
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: None
Scale: ¼”= 1 Foot
Details: “Building No. 350, Drawing No. 3” “Drawn by H.D.V.”
Size: 26 x 34”
Condition: Embrittling along left, bottom, and right edges with several 1-3” tears. Section of lower left corner of title block is missing.
Markings / Misc. Text: None
Materials Noted: None
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: None
Scale: ¼”= 1 Foot
Details: “Building No. 350, Drawing No. 3” “Drawn by H.D.V.”
Size: 26 x 34”
Condition: 2” tears at left, lower and right edges; right and left edge tears repaired with archival tape; lower left and lower right corners torn and missing; small holes along upper edge, i.e. from staples
Markings / Misc. Text: In pencil on reverse: “Chapel”
Materials Noted: None
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: Rectangular base extends from back portion of building; Four turrets at corners of central space, topped with central dome – both turrets and dome are octagonal with spires at each corner; Flat edges of octagonal dome and turrets are oriented towards primary exterior surfaces of building.
Scale: ¼”= 1 Foot
Details: “Building No. 350, Drawing No. 3P” “Drawn by H.D.V.”
Size: 26 x 34”
Condition: Embrittling mainly along right edge; Right edge is folded and torn; Lower edge is torn in three places; slight folding and embrittlement; some warping and wrinkling above title block.
Markings / Misc. Text: Handwritten notes in red pencil with arrows indicating locations on right side of roof: “Holes in copper decks caused by falling stone.” With arrows to lower right spire: “Slight damage.” Leaders noted in drawing; on reverse: “Chapel.”
Materials Noted: None
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: None noted
Scale: ¼”= 1 Foot
Details: “Building No. 350, Drawing No. 4” “Drawn by H.D.V.”
Size: 26 x 34”
Condition: Embrittling along left, lower and right edges; Lower left corner is torn and missing; Slight damage and fading along leftedge; Lower edges folded; Small holes along upper edge, i.e. from binding; Upper left corner is torn and missing
Markings / Misc. Text: Signed in black ink – “John Thatcher & Son”
Materials Noted: None
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: See following copy
Scale: ¼”= 1 Foot
Details: “Building No. 350, Drawing No. 4” “Drawn by H.D.V.”
Size: 26 x 34”
Condition: Embrittling along all edges; some folding and tearing; large tear at upper right edge with staining from previous tape repair; tears through center of title block with staining from tape; edges are discolored.
Markings / Misc. Text: Signed in black ink – “John Thatcher & Son”
Materials Noted: None
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: Heavily detailed Gothic revival (with additional eclectic detailing). Central octagonal dome with smaller turrets to each side are approximately half the height of central dome. Flamboyant Gothic tracery in window detailing above entrance. There are smaller peaked arches in vertical base of dome and in each of the 8 sides of the dome. Spired peaks at the frame that are set within arched frames at three-part windows with quatrefoil insets at base, vents at center, and small tri-part Gothic windows at uppermost portion. Spires are heavily encrusted with “knot and leaf” detailing.
Scale: ¼”= 1 Foot
Details: “Building No. 350, Drawing No. 5” “Drawn by H.D.V.”
Size: 26 x 34”
Condition: Embrittling along all edges. Tears along left, bottom and right edges. 4” tear through center of title block with staining from previous tape repair.
Markings / Misc. Text: None
Materials Noted: None
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: Peaked roofline at rear elevation; Detailed carved panel surfaces of turrets at each side; Carved detailing (quatrefoil set in parallelogram frames) along roofline.
Scale: ¼”= 1 Foot
Details: “Building No. 350, Drawing No. 5” “Drawn by H.D.V.”
Size: 26 x 34”
Condition: Embrittling along all edges. 1-2” tears along right, left and lower edges; Lower edge torn with piece missing; lower left corner is missing; slight fading along left edge; some tears repaired with archival tape; lower edge is yellowed.
Markings / Misc. Text: Signed in black ink – “John Thatcher & Son”
Materials Noted: None
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: See above
Scale: ¼”= 1 Foot
Details: “Building No. 350, Drawing No. 6” “Drawn by H.D.V.”
Size: 26 x 34”
Condition: Embrittling along all edges; Lower edge and lower left corner torn and missing; Several tears of 1-2” along left, lower and right edges; slight fading along left edge, lower edge is discolored. Some tears repaired with archival tape.
Markings / Misc. Text: Signed in black ink – “John Thatcher & Son”
Materials Noted: None
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: None
Scale: ¼”= 1 Foot
Details: “Building No. 350, Drawing No. 6” “Drawn by H.D.V.”
Size: 26 x 34”
Condition: Embrittling along all edges; slight warping and staining across upper half of drawing; two large brittle tears at left edge and right edge toward center. Tear through center title block with staining from previous repair
Markings / Misc. Text: In pencil – “Bigger,” with arrows indicating tiles at center of drawing.
Materials Noted: Granite
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details:None
Scale: 1”= 10 Feet
Size: Fragment, unknown
Condition: Badly torn and damaged; drawing is folded and torn, edges are brittle; paper is fragile, folded in half and very damaged; large sections (especially at edges and corners) repaired with tape.
Markings / Misc. Text: In pencil on reverse: “Chapel”
Materials Noted: None
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: Hand-drawn map from site survey.
Scale: ¼” = 1 Foot
Details: Corner of title block is missing
Size: 26 x 34”
Condition: Large portions are torn and missing; lower left corner missing; center of title block is missing; Large tear from center-bottom to center of drawing (also stained from earlier repair with tape); several sections are missing along right edge; Row of small holes in upper edge from binding.
Markings / Misc. Text: Signed in black ink: “John Thatcher & Son”; in pencil on reverse: “Chapel”
Materials Noted: None
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: Main dome with gothic spires at center; secondary domed turret at right, approximately half height of central dome; Octagonal dome with circular recessed detailing is somewhat Baroque or renaissance-revival in style, while peaked arches with flamboyant Gothic tracery are situated above these more classical details. Side turret mainly encloses a stairway leading to a small enclosed space at its upper level.
Scale: ¼” = 1 Foot
Details: Building No. 350, Drawing No. 7” “Drawn by H.D.V”
Size: 26 x 34”
Condition: Embrittling along left and right sides; several 1-2” tears along left and right sides with some missing pieces. 3” tear at left corner of title block; tear at center-bottom edge (repaired with archival tape)
Markings / Misc. Text: None supplemental
Materials Noted: Oak – organ console
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: None
Scale: ¼” = 1 Foot
Details: “Building No. 350, Drawing No. 8” “Drawn by H.D.V”
Size: 26 x 34”
Condition: Embrittling along all edges, with numerous tears; corners and lower edges torn and missing. Large tear at lower-right, slight staining at upper right; several tears tapes; right edge is folded and brittle.
Markings / Misc. Text: Signed in black ink: “John Thatcher & Son”
Materials Noted: None
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: None
Scale: ¼” = 1 Foot
Details: “Building No. 350, Drawing No. 9” “Drawn by H.D.V”
Size: 26 x 34”
Condition: Embrittling along all edges, 6” tear at middle-right edge toward center; several tears 1-3” along bottom edge (repaired with archival tape); some small pieces missing along bottom and left edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: None
Materials Noted: None
Drawing Materials: Blueprint reproduction on paper
Style / Design Details: None
Scale: ¾” = 1’
Details: Two drawings in one. Top drawing, taking up most of the page, is labeled: “Transverse Section thro Chancel Looking toward Window”. Drawing at bottom of page is labeled: “Plan of Chancel Wall on Line A-A.” At bottom left corner: “Building No. 350. Drawing No. 69.”
Size: 36 ½” x 44”
Condition: Relatively good. Slightly embrittled, with center horizontal fold line. Rough upper edge, with material extending past end of drawing.
Notes/Markings: Numerous marginal notes and dimensions throughout.
Materials Noted: Marble altar, rough concrete, copper gutters, concrete imitation stone, brick.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Style/Design: Marble altar in center. Paneling and tracery details on either side of arched interior. Organ loft floor on one side only.
