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: ½” = 1'
Details: This plan provides an aerial perspective of the mausoleum's interior. It looks like a Greek cross, with four arms containing catacombs extending from a central vestibule. The surrounding lot is indicated and various measurements are provided. This plan also contains a small drawing in the upper right corner: “Section CC Thru Ventilator.” The scale for that drawing is also ½” = 1’.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on linen.
Materials Noted: For Section CC: mesh copper screen; slate; concrete; bronze pipe.
Notes/Markings: Written in the central vestibule is the note, “Opening over refer to roof plan.” Each arm contains the same note: “5 tiers of 15 catacombs.” The title block covers the width of the plan and is located at the bottom edge. The notes for Section CC read: ‘2” x 8” vent opening in concrete. Provide a small mesh copper screen to same’; ‘Airspace’; ‘6” dia. bronze pipe’; and ‘Waterproofing’ with arrows pointing from each note to a section of the drawing. The title block covers the width of the plan and is located at the bottom edge.
Condition: Brittle with staple and brad holes along the top edge and small rips and tears along all four edges. Discolored along the edges. The back is water stained.
Scale: ½” = 1'
Details: This plan provides an aerial view of the exterior of the mausoleum and its surrounding plot. A second drawing in the upper right corner is titled, “Plan: View of Stone Cover” and the scale is still 1/2'” = 1’.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on linen.
Materials Noted: Bronze, stone.
Notes/Markings: The roof slabs are indicated, as is the lot line. In the vestibule: “Vault opening refer to detail of stone and slab cover for same.” Above the vestibule: “Refer to sections for retaining walls around opening.” In all four arms: “Foundation walls below.” In all the exterior corners where the arms intersect: ‘6” dia. bronze ventilator pipe.’ In lower corner created by the right arm: “Note: all stone roof slabs to overlap foundation walls by not less than 1”.” The title block covers the width of the plan and is located at the bottom edge.
Condition: Brad holes at the top edge; discoloration along all edges.
Scale: ½”= 1’
Details: The plan titled Section Thru BB is located above the plan for Section Thru AA. There appears to be room for 25 catacombs in each section.
Drawing Material: Blueprint on linen
Materials Noted: Cement floor, slate catacombs, fine mesh copper screen, bronze pipe ventilators, granite retaining wall.
Notes/Markings: Each sectional plan contains notes on materials used, measurements, and grade line. The title block covers the width of the plan and is located at the bottom edge. On the reverse the plot number is written once and the family name (Chiarello) is written three times.
Condition: Brittle with brad holes at the top and small rips along the left side. The bottom left corner is ripped through part of the title block. The reverse is stained and discolored.
Scale: ½” = 1'
Details: See Item A in this series. The smaller section drawing is barely visible.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Notes/Markings: See Item A in this series. Above the title block is a signed and dated approval, written by W.C. Grassau in red pencil.
Condition: Brad holes along the top edge; water stains and discoloration; creased top right corner and two bottom corners turned up; rips along the bottom edge.
Scale: ½” = 1'
Details: See Item B in this series.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Materials Noted: Bronze, stone.
Notes/Markings: See Item B in this series. Above the title block is a signed and dated approval, written by W.C. Grassau in red pencil.
Condition: Brittle throughout with brad holes at the top edge; small rips along all four edges.
Scale: ½”= 1’
Details: See Item C in this series.
Drawing Material: Blueprint on paper
Materials Noted: Cement floor, slate catacombs, fine mesh copper screen, bronze pipe ventilators, granite retaining wall.
Notes/Markings: See Item C in this series. Above the title block is a signed and dated approval, written by W.C. Grasau in red pencil. Written on the back in pencil: “Chiarello (underground) 34748”.
Condition: Brittle with brad holes at the top and small rips along all four edges. The top edge and bottom left corner are creased and small parts of the left edge are missing. The reverse is stained and discolored.
Scale: ¼”= 1’
Details: This plan is narrow and long and contains four small drawings showing various elevations and a perspective view. The front elevation shows two columns framing the entrance door, which has a bronze grill above a circular door knocker. There is a decorative engraving above the door and above that is the family name carved in a slight curve. The roof is a small dome. The rear elevation shows a solid construction with 6 courses, and the left side elevation shows one window in the center of the mausoleum, near the roof. The perspective view shows the front and right side elevations. A window is located on the right side, opposite the left. The entrance is reached by a set of two stairs, and the columns are set in a niche. The entrance door is not flush with the front of the building, but is set back a bit.
Drawing Material: Blueprint on paper
Notes/Markings: The title block contains the architecture firm’s name and address. Above the title block and below the plans is the title, “Design for a Mausoleum”.
Condition: Very brittle with brad holes on the left side and two deep creases near the left edge. The top right corner is bent back and there is a crease running vertically about 8” from the right edge.
Scale: ¼”= 1’
Details: Like Item G, this plan is narrow and long and contains small drawings above the title block. The first drawing is very similar to Items A and D in this series, with fewer notes. The Ground Floor Plan is similar to Items B and E in this series, without the arms extending on the left and right sides. The Longitudinal Section is similar to Items C and F in this series, except this plan shows the amount of catacombs above and below the grade line.
Drawing Material: Blueprint on paper
Materials Noted: Bronze grille
Notes/Markings: Subterranean Plan: each arm has the note “5 rows or 15 catacombs” and the center vestibule is to be covered by the bronze grille. Ground Floor Plan: on either side of the entrance passage is room for “4 rows or 4 catacombs.” Past the center vestibule, opposite the front entrance, there is room for “4 rows or 12 catacombs.” The title block contains the architecture firm’s name and address. Above the title block and below the plans is the title, “Design for a Mausoleum”.
Condition: Very brittle with brad holes on the left side and two deep creases near the left edge. The creases are beginning to rip and a crease near the right edge is also ripping. The bottom edge is faded and discolored.
Details: This 3-page document includes instructions on the construction of and materials for the Chiarello Mausoleum.
Drawing Material: Typewritten on bond paper
Materials Noted: Portland cement, concrete, Mountary granite, Greens Landing granite, non-staining Portland cement mortar, Black ribbon Pennsylvania slate, brass handles, bronze.
Notes/Markings: Each page is stamped, signed, and dated in red pencil by WCG [William C. Grassau, Superintendent of Green-Wood].
Condition: Title page is discolored/smudged. The watermark on all three pages reads, “Superior Bond”.
