Pittsburgh Cemeteries

Tag: Mausoleums

  • Duncan Mausoleum from the Side

    Duncan mausoleum

    From any angle the Duncan mausoleum is impressive. There is nothing like it anywhere else in Pittsburgh—or, as far as old Pa Pitt knows, in the world. The architect was Theophilus P. Chandler Jr., the Philadelphia tastemaker who also designed First Presbyterian downtown and Third Presbyterian at Fifth and Negley in Shadyside. He seems to have been proud of this mausoleum: if you go looking for it on line, you will turn up Father Pitt’s pictures (of course), and then a large number of prints and postcards from the time the mausoleum was built.

  • Sutmeyer Mausoleum, Allegheny Cemetery

    Sutmeyer mausoleum

    A small stock mausoleum with indeterminate medievalish details. The cross-bearing angel on top has weathered into picturesque abstraction, looking far more otherworldly now than it did when it was new.

    Angel on the Sutmeyer mausoleum

  • Andrews Mausoleum, Union Dale Cemetery

    Andrews mausoleum

    A richly detailed example of Renaissance classicism, with rusticated blocks, arched entrance, “modern Ionic” columns (that is, Ionic columns with volutes at the four corners of the capitals), and flanking urns.

  • Schreiner Mausoleum, Union Dale Cemetery

    Schreiner mausoleum

    A large and luxurious classical structure with a prominent cupola topped by a statue of Hope shaking her fist at heaven. At least that is how old Pa Pitt always reads the statue: it is certainly Hope (the anchor is her ID card), and Father Pitt doesn’t know what else to make of the raised-fist salute.

    Statue of Hope
    Monogram

    Ornate monograms flank the entrance arch.

  • Robert Carson Mausoleum, Union Dale Cemetery

    Robert Carson mausoleum

    A simplified Doric mausoleum without entablature or any of the usual fiddly bits. It dates from 1885, but one could be forgiven for supposing it a twentieth-century modernist’s interpretation of classical style.