Lake View Cemetery Mausoleum
Lake View’s Community Mausoleum, circa 1914, was built as a speculative venture by the Eastern Mausoleum Co. and is an example of the Egyptian Revival Style. The sheer mass of the solid granite-walled building, sited high on an overlook, commands attention and curiosity. Those buried inside represent an important era in Ithaca’s history and the social history of the nation. Most notable perhaps is Liberty Hyde Bailey, a world-renowned botanist, a significant figure in designating Cornell as a NY State land grant college, and founder of the College of Agriculture. It is also the burial place of the accomplished Ithaca architect, Clinton Vivian and his wife Elizabeth. Suffragette Party chair and women’s rights activist, Juanita Breckenridge Bates and her husband, Frederick Bates who became the 8th Ithaca Mayor in 1916 are also interred in the Mausoleum.
The Community Mausoleum Movement began in 1907 in Ganges, Ohio as a response to growing public concern that traditional in-ground burials were not hygienic, permanent or dignified. The radical concept of an affordable, lasting and sanitary interior burial for those of ordinary means was realized through marketing and modern building technology. The construction of massive structures that could house dozens or hundreds of vaults, was made possible by pneumatic and hydraulic machinery, and locally produced Portland cement. Advertisements promoted airtight, individual concrete crypts, lined with copper that used innovative pneumatic valves to help disperse gases and moisture.
Our grand Mausoleum has been neglected for many years. The flat roof is worn out and in places leaking as a consequence of years of fallen leaves that have formed a layer of soil to support the growth of vines and weed trees. The roots of the trees have punctured the roof membrane and caused serious damage to many crypts. Harsh temperature extremes have also wreaked havoc on the exterior tuckpointing and interior marble walls. Two separate engineers wrote assessments of the building, based on surface observations only. Both agreed a new roof was necessary as soon as possible. In 2020 the board decided to find an architect with experience in historic roof structures to conduct an indepth study and complete a design for a new roof.
In March of 2021 the board approved a multi-step approach presented by Bell & Spina Architects of Syracuse. They will first perform a “Building Study,” followed by a “Restoration Proposal.” To date, Bell & Spina has created a Matterport 3D Scan of the interior and documented the building with measured and annotated drawings. Just a few weeks ago, they supervised 6” boring samples taken at various locations of the roof for analysis. The borings will provide important clues to the materials and thickness required for the design of the new roof.
We await a design for an interior shoring structure to prevent further damage before the actual restoration work can begin. It is our hope that this spring/summer the shoring can be cost estimated and a contractor is hired to install it. Additionally, all the plant material growing on the roof should be removed this season. We are excited to meet with the architect, receive the full written report of the study’s findings so we can proceed to the “Roof Design” stage. This design stage is only possible after the completion of the building study, analysis and restoration project proposal. Finally, with the roof design documents in had, we can undertake the bidding process and selecting a contractor for the new roof.
The importance of renovating and preserving the Mausoleum for future generations, and honoring those interred as part of our collective past, is well understood by the historic preservation community. It is our duty as stewards of the cemetery to preserve the integrity of the Mausoleum to the best of our ability. The practical side to the renovation is that around 20 empty burials crypts could be made available to the public.
Additional information:
Bell & Spina Architects of Syracuse are known specialists in historic preservation with appropriate expertise in roof replacement and masonry preservation, relevant to the Mausoleum Project. Their approach is consistent with the historic preservation techniques outlined by the US Department of Interior “Standards for Historic Preservation” and recommended by the NY S Historic Preservation Office.
Lake View’s sole purpose has been to honor the memory of those laid to rest in the cemetery by maintaining a serene and respectful environment for families and visitors. Cemeteries are expected to be tranquil sanctuaries and a durable museum of family histories. The cemetery lot holders represent our front line advocates and most passionate supporters. As community members, they add to and strengthen our networking efforts. It is our goal to bring the larger community to the cemetery; we need volunteers to keep the grounds well-groomed and monetary donations to keep the cemetery financially viable and able to restore our wonderful Mausoleum.