Theses (Historic Preservation)
Document Type
Thesis or dissertation
Date of this Version
2014
Abstract
Today, cemeteries face a widespread need for maintenance and upkeep of their memorial structures, particularly of their mausolea. As a major focal point of a mausoleum, the door is one that serves both an aesthetic and functional purpose, putting it at a high priority for maintenance. To create a means for facilitating and prioritizing future maintenance programs of both doors and mausolea, Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, NY was chosen as a case study. As a part of this process, existing conditions were recorded and supplemented with archival research and scientific analysis. In order to create a system of recording over 1,200 sets of mausoleum doors at Woodlawn effectively and efficiently, a standardized examination form was designed to collect and present archival data in conjunction with present conditions, then tested on a sample size of twenty-six mausolea in the Lake plot of the cemetery. Additional archival research was completed to develop an understanding of trends in fabrication of bronze architectural elements. As a supplement to this information, analytical methods—including optical microscopy, metallography, SEM-EDS, and FTIR and Raman spectroscopies—were performed on a sample from the Lucien Warner mausoleum to better understand the bronze alloys, corrosion products and coatings commonly found at Woodlawn.
Keywords
conditions survey, archival research, bronze deterioration, atmospheric corrosion, bronze alloy content
Date Posted: 09 September 2014
Comments
Suggested Citation:
Colas, Monique Christie (2014). A Survey and Analysis of Bronze Mausoleum Doors at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, NY. (Masters Thesis). University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.