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
Location: Archives Drawer 1
The Harder Mausoleum, located at Lot 34482, was commissioned by George A. Harder, Esq. of New York City in 1916. The design and construction of the mausoleum was implemented by the architects of the firm W.W. Leland Company, Inc., which was located at 569 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York. Though the W.W. Leland Company was a successful architectural firm, they eventually consolidated with the Presbrey-Coykendall Company to create the Presbrey-Leland Monument Company and continue to produce beautifully designed monuments for members of Green-Wood Cemetery (further information on this consolidation can be viewed by clicking the link provided). Within this series, researchers will find 34 drawings and 1 specifications document concerning the design and construction of the Harder Mausoleum.
Scale: ¾” = 1 Foot
Details: [order no.] 08723 [drawing no.] 1022
Size: 27” x 34”
Condition: Some folding and wear at edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: Hand drawn on drafting linen; inked in black with dimensions in red; pencil notes of dimensions added.
Materials Noted: Granite roof blocks; Aluminum joint caps.
Style / Design Details: Doric columns; Engraving of “Harder” above entrance (noted to be “Square V Incised”); 6” rise on entrance stairs (i.e. very low).
Scale: ½” = 1 Foot
Details: “Drawing No. 2”
Size: 26” x 31”
Condition: Some folding and wear at edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: Hand drawn on drafting linen; inked in black; no marginal notes.
Materials Noted: None specified.
Style / Design Details: Greek revival with classical entablature; Urns flanking entrance; Funerary swag emblem above entrance; smaller funerary wreath emblems in entablature.
Scale: ¾” = 1'
Details: See Item A in this series.
Condition: Very brittle with mutliple tears along the top, left, and right edges and a section of the top edge missing.
Markings / Misc. Text: Blueprint reproduction; stamped in the lower right corner and signed/dated in pen by WCG (William C. Grassau, Superintendent of Green-Wood).
Materials Noted: See Item A in this series.
Style / Design Details: See Item A in this series.
Scale: ¾” = 1 Foot
Details: [order no.] 08723 [drawing no.] 1026
Size: 27” x 34”
Condition: Some folding and wear at edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: Hand drawn on drafting linen; inked in black with dimensions in red; Courses of roof blocks assigned with sequential letters “Q, R, S” in pencil.
Materials Noted: None specified.
Style / Design Details: Stepped Egyptian-style roofline; two fluted Doric columns at side elevation; window with bronze grille placed centrally between columns.
Further Notes: Identical to rear elevation.
Scale: ½” = 1 Foot
Details: “Drawing No. 4”
Size: 26” x 31”
Condition: Some folding and wear at edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: Hand drawn on drafting linen, inked in black.
Materials Noted: None specified.
Style / Design Details: Funerary swag carving/emblem set symmetrically between two embedded/implied column details
Further notes: All design details are symmetrical.
Scale: ¾” = 1’
Details: See Item D in this series.
Condition: Very brittle throughout with holes at the top and tears along the top, left, and right edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: Blueprint reproduction; stamped in the lower right corner and signed/dated in pen by WCG (William C. Grassau, Superintendent of Green-Wood).
Style / Design Details: See Item D in this series.
Further Notes: See Item D in this series.
Scale: ¾” = 1 Foot
Details: [order no.] 08723 [drawing no.] 1027
Size: 27” x 34”
Condition: Wrinkling / wear at edges, light folds at corners; in relatively good condition.
Markings / Misc. Text: Hand drawn on drafting linen; inked in black and red.
Materials Noted: None specified.
Style / Design Details: Classical revival and Egyptian revival stylistic features; Doric columns with Eyptian-style stepped roofline.
Further Notes: Identical to side elevation.
Scale: ½” = 1 Foot
Details: “Drawing No. 3”
Size: 26” x 31”
Condition: Some folding and wear at edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: Hand drawn on drafting linen, inked in black; Marginal sketch in pencil, amending curved base to mausoleum plinth.
Materials Noted: None specified.
Style / Design Details: Funerary swag emblem set symmetrically between two embedded column details; smaller funerary wreaths in entablature, as at front.
Scale: ¾” = 1'
Details: See Item G in this series.
Condition: Very brittle throughout with holes at the top and tears along the top, left, and right edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: Blueprint reproduction; stamped in the lower right corner and signed/dated in pen by WCG (William C. Grassau, Superintendent of Green-Wood).
Style / Design Details: See Item G in this series.
Further Notes: See Item G in this series.
Scale: ¾” = 1 Foot
Details: [order no.] 08723 [drawing no.] 1024
Size: 27” x 34”
Condition: Some folding and wear at edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: Hand drawn on drafting linen; inked in black with dimensions in red; additional dimension noted in pencil.
Materials Noted: Pink granite floor; bronze grilles and sashes; bronze catacomb rosettes; bronze emblems; gustanho arch; granite roof blocks; bronze ventilating rosettes; bronze torches.
Style / Design Details: With drawing 1025, bilateral symmetry of section is clear, with zodiacal emblems appearing to be the only non-repetitive elements.
Scale: ½” = 1 Foot
Details: “Drawing No. 5”
Size: 26” x 31”
Condition: Some folding and wear at edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: Hand drawn on drafting linen, inked in black; inner portion of wall section highlighted in yellow pencil.
Materials Noted: Lead through base; sarcophagi depicted in marble.
Style / Design Details: Laterally symmetrical; Classical pediment above entrance door; Meander and egg-shaped dentil patterning along interior entablature.
Further Notes: Two sarcophagi placed close to each other at center.
Scale: ¾” = 1'
Details: See Item J in this series.
Condition: Very brittle throughout with holes at the top edge and tears along the top, left, and right edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: Blueprint reproduction; stamped in the lower right corner and signed/dated in pen by WCG (William C. Grassau, Superintendent of Green-Wood).
Materials Noted: See Item J in this series.
Style / Design Details: See Item J in this series.
Scale: ¾” = 1 Foot
Details: [order no.] 08723 [drawing no.] 1025
Size: 27” x 34”
Condition: Some folding and wear at edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: Hand drawn on drafting linen; courses of roof blocks assigned sequential letters (O, P, Q, R, S) in pencil.
Materials Noted: Bronze catacomb rosettes; bronze transom; bronze door; bronze ventilating rosettes; bronze zodiacal emblems; pink granite floor; Gustanho arch; bronze urns; bronze torches.
Style / Design Details: With drawing 1024, bilateral symmetry of section is clear, with zodiacal emblems appearing to be the only non-repetitive elements.
Scale: ½” = 1 Foot
Details: “Drawing No. 6”
Size: 26” x 31”
Condition: Some folding and wear at edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: Hand drawn on drafting linen, inked in black; inner portion of wall section highlighted in yellow pencil.
Materials Noted: Lead at base; concrete noted to be poured above caskets following interment.
Style / Design Details: Meander and egg-shaped dentil patterning along interior entablature above embedded columns; sarcophagi indicated in marble.
Further Notes: Roof slabs noted with weights – “36 Tons” and “20 tons.”
Scale: ¾” = 1’
Details: See Item M in this series.
Condition: Very brittle throughout with holes at the top and tears along the top, left, and right edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: Blueprint reproduction; stamped in the lower right corner and signed/dated in pen by WCG (William C. Grassau, Superintendent of Green-Wood).
Materials Noted: See Item M in this series.
Style / Design Details: See Item M in this series.
Scale: ¾” = 1 Foot
Details: [order no.] 08723 [drawing no.] 1023.
Size: 27”x 34”
Condition: Lower left portion of title block torn and missing; some folding and wear at edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: hand drawn on drafting linen, inked in black with dimensions in red.
Materials Noted: Slate and Marble; “Pink granite [in] eggshell finish; bronze grille and sashes; bronze door.
Style / Design Details: Bilaterally and radically (minus door) symmetrical.
Scale: ½” = 1 Foot
Details: “Drawing No. 1”
Size: 26”x 31”
Condition: Some folding and wear at edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: Hand drawn on drafting linen, inked in black; inner portion of wall section highlighted in yellow pencil; dimensioning in orange pencil; marginal sketch in pencil, possibly of alternative column detail section.
Materials Noted: None specified.
Style / Design Details: Classical lateral symmetry [beaux-arts/classical revival].
Scale: ¾” = 1'
Details: See Item P in this series.
Condition: Very brittle throughout with tears along all four edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: Blueprint reproduction; stamped in the lower right corner and signed/dated in pen by WCG (William C. Grassau, Superintendent of Green-Wood).
Materials Noted: See Item P in this series.
Style / Design Details: See Item P in this series.
Scale: ¾” = 1'
Details: See Item P in this series.
Condition: Exremely brittle throughout numerous tears and creases along the edges and into the drawing.
Markings / Misc. Text: See Item R in this series.
Materials Noted: See Item P in this series.
Style / Design Details: See Item P in this series.
Scale: ¾” = 1 Foot
Details: [order no.] 8723 [drawing no.] 2067; Drawn by “CFK.”
Size: 34” x 27”
Condition: Some wrinkling and folding at edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: Hand drawn on drafting linen, inked in black with dimensions in red; notes in pencil (areas?) added to drawing.
Materials Noted: Gravel pockets at drains.
Scale: ¾” = 1’
Details: See Item T in this series.
Condition: Each copy is extremely brittle with multiple tears and creases and portions missing.
Markings / Misc. Text: Blueprint reproduction; stamped in the lower right corner and signed/dated in pen by WCG (William C. Grassau, Superintendent of Green-Wood).
Materials Noted: See Item T in this series.
Scale: ¾” = 1 Foot
Details: [order no.] 8723 [drawing no.] 2068; Drawn by “CFK.”
Size: 27” x 34”
Condition: Some folded corners and wrinkling/wear across edges; in relatively good condition.
Markings / Misc. Text: In pencil at lower right corner – “4300 ea. ft”
Materials Noted: Granite, tile drain pipe.
Style / Design Details: Four sectional details in drawing.
Scale: ¾” = 1’
Details See Item V in this series.
Condition: Both copies are extremely brittle with massive tears and deep creases. One copy has portions missing from the bottom edge.
Markings / Misc. Text: Blueprint reproduction
Materials Noted: See Item V in this series.
Style / Design Details: See Item V in this series.
Scale: Not stated [¾” = 1 Foot]
Details: No drawing number assigned.
Size: 15.5” x 23”
Condition: Some folding and wear at edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: Hand drawn on drafting linen, inked in black; marginal sketch in pencil, indicating revision of funerary swag.
Materials Noted: None specified; however, marble indicated through drawing.
Style / Design Details: Funerary swag (double to triple drape, all with rosettes) in frieze; Verticals at either size adorned with bronze-framed marble panels.
Scale: Not stated [¾” = 1 Foot]
Details: No drawing number assigned.
Size: 15.5” x 23”
Condition: Some folding and wear at edges.
Markings / Misc. Text: Hand drawn on drafting linen, inked in black. Notes in pencil – “omit vases”, “omit torches”, and calculations including “$300”
Materials Noted: None specified.
Style / Design Details: Four Grecian roses above entablature; Funerary swag (single drape, some with rosettes) in frieze; unadorned panels.
Scale: 1' = 1'
Details: Two small plans are shown - the horizontal section at "B-B" and the vertical section at "A-A."
Condition: Brittle with a small tear in the top edge.
Markings / Misc. Text: Blueprint reproduction. Approved by WCG (William C. Grassau, Superintendent of Green-Wood) on April 15, 1918 (written in pencil in the lower right corner).
Materials Noted: Concrete, slate, marble.
Details: This 13-page document includes instructions on the construction of and materials for the Harder Mausoleum and includes an index on the title page.
Drawing Material: Typewritten on bond paper.
Materials Noted: Atlas cement; River or Lake or washed bank sand; Barre, Vermont granite; Balfour pink granite; Light Grey Pink Tennessee egg shell finish; Medusa or Atlas White Portland cement; bronze; Blanco Italian marble, glass.
Notes/Markings: Each page is stamped, signed, and dated in pen by WCG [William C. Grassau, Superintendent of Green-Wood]. Some pages have notes crossed out or added in red pen.
Condition: Title page is discolored and torn into two pieces. Majority of pages are brittle.
