Oakwood Cemetery (Troy, New York)
Oakwood Cemetery | |
Location | 50 101st Street, Troy, New York, United States |
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Coordinates | 42°45′50″N 73°39′59″W / 42.76389°N 73.66639°W |
Area | Total: 352 acres (142 ha) NRHP Property: 325 acres (132 ha) |
Built | 1848 |
Architect | John C. Sidney John Boetcher |
Architectural style | Palladian, and other eclectic styles |
NRHP reference No. | 84000021[1] |
Added to NRHP | 1984 |
Oakwood Cemetery is a
It features four man-made lakes, two residential structures, a
Prominent Americans such as
History
The first rural cemetery in the
The Troy Cemetery Association was formed on September 9, 1848; John Paine, D. Thomas Vail, Isaac McConihe, George M. Tibbits, John B. Gale, and Stephen E. Warren were elected its trustees. It was the first rural cemetery association incorporated under an
Oakwood was designed by John C. Sidney, a
Although Sidney was the architect of the cemetery, it was superintendent John Boetcher that gave Oakwood its charm. Boetcher became superintendent in 1871 and continued in the position until 1898. At the beginning of his tenure, Oakwood was said to be quite crude. During Boetcher's tenure Oakwood's most important icons were built: the Earl Chapel and Crematorium, the Warren Chapel Mortuary, the keeper's house, the office lodge, numerous mausolea, and both the 101st Street and 114th Street entrances (including a bridge over the
In 1869, the City of Troy bought the property of the Third Street Burying Ground for the site of a new city hall. This was the burial site for many of Troy's earliest inhabitants; the city had bought lot number 102 in Section N for re-interment of 146 graves. The Vanderheyden family and Jacob Lansing, founders of Troy and Lansingburgh respectively, were re-interred in Oakwood from private, family cemeteries. With these re-interments, the graves within Oakwood span the entire the history of Troy.
A 325-acre (132 ha) section of Oakwood was nominated for the National Register of Historic Places in August 1984[12] and was added to the Register on October 10, 1984.[13] The cemetery originally owned about 110 acres (45 ha) on the east side of Oakwood Avenue, but sold the land in two transactions in the 2000s (decade). The land deals were made to increase the Association's operating income.[14] As of 2009, the cemetery contained roughly 60,000 graves[15] and its numbers continue to grow.[2] The Association expects to be able to accept interments until at least the early 23rd century.[2]
Geography
Oakwood is built on an
The cemetery covers 352 acres (142 ha) of which 325 acres (132 ha) contribute to the listing on the National Register of Historic Places. In the east–west direction, the cemetery extends from Gurley Avenue and the bed of the old Troy and Boston Railroad[Note 3] on the west, to Oakwood Avenue on the east. The northern boundary is Farrell Road Extension and the southern boundary is a line that extends due east from a point just south of 101st Street, to Oakwood Avenue.[18]
The cemetery is split into sections for ease of finding graves which, for the most part, follow an alphabetic (e.g. Section K) or alphanumeric (e.g. Section D-3) naming system, though there are some that follow a numeric scheme.[20] The sections are split by paved and gravel roads and pedestrian paths that total 29 miles (47 km).[18]
There are three operating entrances to the cemetery. The main entrance is on Oakwood Avenue at the southern tip of the property;[Note 4] it is flanked by the keeper's house. The 114th Street entrance[Note 5] is marked only by a gate and connects to Gurley Avenue.[21] The 101st Street entrance[Note 6] passes the office lodge.[22]
Landmarks
The large amount of space in rural cemeteries permits the use of sculpture in a way that the crowded churchyard has never allowed. Many rural cemeteries, including Oakwood, subsequently became virtual outdoor sculpture museums, displaying the works of well-known contemporary sculptors as memorials to the deceased.[10] Oakwood is home to thousands of individual statues and sculptures as well as 24 private mausolea.[18] Because of its popularity as a public park, many memorials included benches to invite visitors to rest while investigating the large, hilly property.[11]
Many historically important sculptors are represented on the grounds of Oakwood.
One of the most significant monuments is that to Major General
In 1862 the Troy Cemetery Association set aside an area in Section P, called the Soldiers' Plot, for deceased
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Launitz
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Robert Ross Memorial, by Rhind
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Fuller Monument, aCeltic Cross
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Major General Wool Monument
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Soldiers' Plot
Gardner Earl Memorial Chapel and Crematorium
Gardner Earl Memorial Chapel and Crematorium | |
Fuller & Wheeler; Tiffany Glass and Decorating, et al | |
Architectural style | Romanesque |
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NRHP reference No. | 04000091[1] |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | February 25, 2004 |
Designated NHL | March 2, 2012 |
The most significant building on the property is the Gardner Earl Memorial Chapel and Crematorium, a Richardsonian Romanesque structure built between 1887 and 1889, which sits near the edge of the escarpment about 300 feet (91 m) above the Hudson. The building was financed by William S. Earl, a successful Troy manufacturer, as a memorial to his son who became ill and died on a trip to Europe in March 1887.[28] The deceased son was an early promoter of cremation[28] and was himself cremated in Buffalo.[29]
The building consists of a 90-foot (27 m) bell tower with an 18-foot (5.5 m) square base on the south side, connected by a triple-arched loggia to a chapel and crematorium on the north side. The floor plan of the entire building measures 136 by 70 feet (41 by 21 m). The exterior is covered by a pink-tinted Westerly granite and the foundation sits completely on bedrock.[30]
The interior is noted for its sumptuous and intricate design. The original furnace room was transformed into an elaborately designed reception room in 1889, the furnaces having been moved into a separate room. This features significant use of marble, from Siena, Japan, and Africa, on its walls, floors, and molding.[31] The Troy Daily Times stated on November 7, 1889, that, "the chapel is a model of architectural and mechanical skill,"[30] and that the chapel's reception room "is certainly the equal, and possibly in respect to artistic detail and elaborateness of execution, the superior of any church interior in the land."[32]
The interior of the chapel is marked by quartered oak ceilings, bluestone floors, and five original
The Earl Crematorium was listed in its own right on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003 and was designated a National Historic Landmark on March 5, 2012.[33][34]
Warren Family Mortuary Chapel
The Warren Family Mortuary Chapel is a stone chapel built on a knoll near the center of the cemetery. It was designed by
Vanderheyden Bell
The Vanderheyden Bell, a memorial itself, is located northeast of the Earl Crematorium. It is a bronze, cast bell weighing more than 3,000 pounds (1,400 kg). Its original home was under a log shelter on the premises. At some point, it was placed into storage. In 1971 it was resurrected and hung among four redwood posts, becoming an additional "tower" on the property.[37]
Mausolea
Oakwood is home to 24 mausolea and
The Cannon Mausoleum is mainly Greek Revival to look at, but also has Romanesque aspects, such as a cruciform floor plan and a domed roof. The Strope Mausoleum is a simplified Greek Revival structure, with a bronze door in the Art Nouveau style displaying an angel surrounded by lilies. The Tracy Mausoleum, incorporating the most eclectic mix of design influences on the property, has a rock-faced stone exterior covered with foliate carvings. It displays a combination of Romanesque, Moorish, and Baroque elements, and is topped with a "beehive" roof—one of its more recognizable design features. The Tibbits Mausoleum, Vail Vault, and Gale Mausoluem are all done in the Gothic Revival style. The Kemp Mausoleum is the Palladian representative on site and the Paine Mausoleum is another eclectic design, octagonal in shape, and flanked by benches.[25][38][39]
The
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Russell Sage is interred alone in this unmarked mausoleum.
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The Paine Mausoleum is octagonal and features benches for visitors to rest.
-
The Vail Vault is a mausoleum built into a raised hillside.
-
The Gale Mausoleum incorporates manyGothic Revivalelements.
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The Tracy Mausoleum's eclectic design includes a "beehive" roof.
The Panorama
The Panorama is an 84-inch (210 cm)
Notable interments
There are a number of historically prominent figures buried at Oakwood. At least fourteen members of the United States House of Representatives (all from New York) are buried there, including
As previously mentioned, the founders of Troy and Lansingburgh, Jacob D. Vanderheyden and Abraham Jacob Lansing respectively, were both re-interred at Oakwood, having been moved there from downtown in 1869.[5] Some of education's finest teachers are also buried there, including Amos Eaton, a well-known botanist and geologist and founder of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute;[59] Mary Warren, founder of America's first educational institution for "problem children";[11] Emma Willard, pioneer of women's education and founder of the Troy Female Seminary, which was later renamed Emma Willard School in her honor;[11] Emma Willard's husband John Willard, and David Hillhouse Buel, a president of Georgetown University.[60] Finally, Oakwood is also the final resting place of Samuel Wilson, the progenitor of America's national symbol, Uncle Sam.[61]
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Rensselaer County, New York
- List of cemeteries in New York
Notes
- ^ Lansingburgh is the northern section of Troy, though it progressed separately from Troy. It became a village in 1790 and was annexed as part of the city of Troy in 1900.[3] See the neighborhood map of Troy for a graphical representation.
- ^ A very small portion of the easternmost section of the cemetery (on the west side of Oakwood Avenue) resides within the town of Brunswick.[16][17]
- ^ In 1972 the railroad tracks were dismantled and in 1981 the bed was transformed into a scenic bicycle path called the Uncle Sam Bikeway.[19]
- ^ 42°45′11″N 73°40′14″W / 42.75306°N 73.67056°W[17]
- ^ 42°46′24″N 73°40′04″W / 42.77333°N 73.66778°W[17]
- ^ 42°45′13″N 73°40′43″W / 42.75361°N 73.67861°W[17]
References
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Oakwood Cemetery: About Us". Troy Cemetery Association. Archived from the original on 2009-09-04. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
- ^ Charter of and laws relating to the city of Troy, p. 216
- ^ a b c Harrison (1984), p. 9
- ^ a b c d "Oakwood Cemetery: History". Troy Cemetery Association. Archived from the original on 2009-09-04. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ a b c Harrison (1984), p. 10
- ^ Weise (1886), p. 54
- ^ Weise (1886), p. 54
- ^ "Honoring a son of Troy" (PDF). Rensselaer Magazine. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-11-21. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
- ^ a b c d e Harrison (1984), p. 11
- ^ a b c d e f g Harrison (1984), p. 13
- ^ Harrison (1984), p. 19
- United States National Park Service. 1984-10-12. p. 144. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ Churchill, Chris (2009-05-09). "Cemetery buries money issue". Times Union (Albany). p. B8. Retrieved 2009-10-06.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Oakwood Cemetery: Home". Troy Cemetery Association. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
- ^ a b Harrison (1984), p. 25
- ^ a b c d Harrison (1984), p. 22
- ^ a b c d e Harrison (1984), p. 4
- ^ "Uncle Sam Bikeway". Government of Troy, New York. Archived from the original on 2012-06-16. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
- ^ Harrison (1984), p. 24
- ^ Harrison (1984), p. 5
- ^ "2007 Newsletter" (PDF). Troy Cemetery Association. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-11-27. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ "The National Statuary Hall Collection". Architect of the Capitol. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ Ross (1894), p. 70
- ^ a b c Harrison (1984), p. 7
- ISBN 0-88448-184-0.
- ^ Harrison (1984), pp. 11–12
- ^ a b Bliss (1897), p. 398
- ^ Cobb (1901), p. 93
- ^ a b Cobb (1901), p. 94
- ^ Cobb (1901), p. 96
- ^ a b Cobb (1901), pp. 94–95
- ^ Shaver, Peter D.; Theresa Page (2011-03-21). "National Historic Landmark Nomination: Gardner Earl Memorial Chapel and Crematorium" (PDF). National Park Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-11-05. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
- ^ Adam Fetcher and Kathy Kupper. "Secretary Salazar Designates Thirteen New National Historic Landmarks". Retrieved 2012-03-09.
- ^ Harrison (1984), p. 6
- ^ a b "Warren, Joseph Mabbett, (1813–1896)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ Harrison (1984), p. 8
- ^ Harrison (1984), p. 15
- ^ Harrison (1984), p. 16
- ^ Richardson (1917), p. 73
- ^ "Oakwood Cemetery: History". Troy Cemetery Association. Archived from the original on 2009-09-04. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ "2007 Newsletter" (PDF). Troy Cemetery Association. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-11-27. Retrieved 2009-10-10.
- ^ "Cluett, Ernest Harold, (1874–1954)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ "Cushman, John Paine, (1784–1848)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ "Dickinson, John Dean, (1767–1841)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ "Draper, William Henry, (1841–1921)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ "Greenman, Edward Whitford, (1840–1908)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ "Pierson, Job, (1791–1860)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ "Sage, Russell, (1816–1906)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ "Taylor, Dean Park, (1902–1977)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ "Thurman, John Richardson, (1814–1854)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ "Tibbits, George, (1763–1849)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ "Townsend, Martin Ingham, (1810–1903)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ "Vail, Henry, (1782–1853)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ "Wicks, Eliphalet, (1769–1850)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ a b c Encyclopedia Americana (1920), p. 100
- ^ Hamersly, Lewis Randolph. The Records of Living Officers of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, Fourth Edition, Philadelphia: L. R. Hamersly & Company, 1890. p. 445.
- ^ Bigelow, George H.; Underwood, Levi; Nichols, Sayles (1877). "In Memoriam: Phineas Dodge Ballou". Proceedings of the Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Northern Jurisdiction. Binghamton, NY: Republican Print. pp. 146–151 – via Google Books.
- ^ Ballard (1897), p. 232
- OCLC 460903293. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ Harrison (1984), p. 12
Bibliography
- Ballard, Harlan Hoge (1897). Amos Eaton. OCLC 51603637.(Full text via Google Books.)
- Bliss, William Dwight Porter (1897). The encyclopedia of social reform. OCLC 123756902.(Full text via Google Books.)
- Cobb, John Storer (1901). A quartercentury of cremation in North America: being a report of progress in the United States and Canada for the last quarter of the nineteenth century; to which have been added, as an afterthought, a few words about the advance in Europe during the same period. OCLC 4730641.(Full text via Google Books.)
- The Encyclopedia Americana: a library of universal knowledge, Volume 27. Encyclopedia Americana Corp. 1920. OCLC 18548585.(Full text via Google Books.)
- Harrison, A. Rebecca (1984-08-03). "National Register of Historic Places Registration nomination, Oakwood Cemetery (Javascript)". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Archived from the original on 2011-12-10. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
- Richardson, Charles Henry (1917). Building stones and clays: a handbook for architects and engineers. OCLC 344779.(Full text via Google Books.)
- Ross, James H. (1894). A Martyr of To-Day: The Life of Robert Ross, Sacrificed to Municipal Misrule, A Story of Patriotism, Calling for Municipal Reforms. Boston: James H. Earle. OCLC 3790810.(Full text via Google Books.)
- Weise, Arthur James (1886). The city of Troy and its vicinity. OCLC 8989214.(Full text via Google Books.)
External links
- Official website
- Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. NY-6253, "Warren Family Chapel & Monuments, Oakwood Cemetery, Troy, Rensselaer County, NY", 3 photos, 3 data pages
- U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Oakwood Cemetery