Rehabilitating the historic cemetery’s iconic gatehouse
Would you believe those stately stone columns on the front of the Laurel Hill Cemetery gatehouse in East Falls are not stone at all? They’re actually made of mahogany and were originally disguised with sand-infused paint to look as solid as limestone.
Even more surprising, they’re hollow (!) and they’re almost entirely ornamental. Instead of resting on the columns as it appears, the roof actually is supported by a cantilever system, which is basically architectural magic that uses beams projecting out from a wall to distribute a load. 🪄😲
Last month, local guests donned hard hats and got a first-hand look at these and other intriguing features during a tour of the ongoing $4.9 million rehabilitation of the Gatehouse, the oldest known work of the famous architect and landscape designer John Notman. Built in 1836, the Gatehouse is the last remaining original structure in the cemetery, showcasing the Early Classical Revival style.
Here are some of the key highlights from the tour:
- Restoring Doric Columns: Over the years, layers of paint have built up, requiring extensive hand-sanding to reveal the original wood. The skilled team of contractors has been replacing or repairing any decayed woodwork and plans to use modern paint to replicate the original stone-like appearance, preserving Notman’s original vision.
- Cleaning Granite Block Foundation: The front of the Gatehouse features granite blocks that have become discolored from years of exposure to carbon pollution (probably from automobiles) and organic growth, like lichens. The team has been using various environmentally friendly methods to clean these blocks, always with an eye to the “lightest touch” possible for such a historic building.
- Installing LED Lighting: New LED floodlights will highlight the columns, while additional LED strip lighting installed below the roofline will illuminate the architectural details, such as dentils and medallions, enhancing the Gatehouse’s appearance at night.
- Accessibility Improvements: A new switchback ramp will provide an accessible entrance to the Gatehouse. A single-story addition is under construction to house three new accessible public bathrooms, replacing and expanding the original facilities.
The Gatehouse rehabilitation project is funded mainly by two Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grants from the State of Pennsylvania and a Save America’s Treasures grant from the Historic Preservation Fund and National Park Service.
The federal grant is awarded to projects of national significance, and since Laurel Hill is a National Historic Landmark, it qualified for significant funds to rehabilitate the Gatehouse to its nascent grandeur. This assistance was rather a double-edged sword, as it required by-the-letter adherence to historical accuracy, which unfortunately meant we won’t be seeing one of the original Gatehouse’s most spectacular features: a giant decorative urn that once stood on the roof above the archway entrance.
Seems the Park Service’s historic experts decided that this architectural element would only be appropriate if the project was bringing the gatehouse back to its authentic state in 1836. Since this project incorporates extra additions that were added much later, the urn was deemed historically inaccurate, and denied.
Bummer! Nancy Goldenberg, President and CEO of Laurel Hill Cemetery, expressed some sadness that the urn (which was quite dramatic at several feet tall) could not be reproduced and illuminated as they’d hoped. Despite this disappointment, Goldenberg was enthusiastic about the project’s progress. She invited neighbors to stay informed about future updates and encouraged them to visit the Laurel Hill website and follow their Facebook and Instagram pages for the latest news.
If you haven’t been to Laurel Hill yet, we respectfully ask — What are you waiting for?! 🙌 Laurel Hill is a beautiful urban greenspace, with sweeping river views and a fascinating jumble of monuments overlooking Kelly Drive. Open all day and free to the public. 🌸🧺🐕 Across the river in Bala Cynwyd, Laurel Hill’s west wing is a Level Two Arboretum with almost 200 acres of winding, manicured paths, including a trailhead to the Cynwyd Heritage Trail. 🌳🚶🚲🛹 Choose your own adventure, or check out their calendar for great events throughout the year.
Thoughts? Questions? Please leave them in the comments below.
Laurel Hill Cemetery
3822 Ridge Ave.
(215) 228-8200
laurelhillphl.com
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