Green Lawn Abbey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Green Lawn Abbey
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| Location | Columbus, Ohio |
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| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | Columbus Mausoleum Co. |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000632 |
| Added to NRHP | June 27, 2007 |
The Green Lawn Abbey, built in 1927, is a special historic building in Columbus, Ohio. It's a large mausoleum, which is a building where people are buried. This beautiful Abbey was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 27, 2007, recognizing its importance. You can find it at 700 Greenlawn Avenue in South Franklinton, near Columbus, Ohio.
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The Story of Green Lawn Abbey
The Green Lawn Abbey was built in 1927 by a company called Columbus Mausoleum. When it was first built, it was the biggest mausoleum in the area. It had enough space for 600 people to be buried inside. The Columbus Mausoleum Company built many other mausoleums nearby, but the Abbey was their largest project.
Abbey's Design and Beauty
The Abbey was designed to look amazing and inspire respect. It has thick granite walls, which are about 1.5 inches thick. Inside, you'll find beautiful marble floors and walls. The roof was made with special tiles brought in from other places.
The building also features marble fireplaces that don't actually light fires. Colorful stained glass windows add to its beauty. You can also see various religious statues inside. It truly is a grand and peaceful final resting place.
Challenges and Damage
In recent years, the Abbey has faced some problems. Water has leaked inside, causing damage to the plaster ceilings and marble floors. Sadly, some people have also broken into the Abbey.
Many of the unique stained glass windows have been broken. This happened when people tried to get in or out of the building. Some marble statues have also been broken and used to force open windows and doors. These acts have caused a lot of damage to this historic site.
Famous People Buried Here
Many important people from Ohio and local history are buried at Green Lawn Abbey. Here are a few notable residents:
- George J. Karb: He was a police commissioner for Franklin County. He also served as the mayor of Columbus five times.
- Howard Thurston: A famous magician.
- Charles Foster Johnson: He was the first person to become a very successful real estate developer in the area.
- Isaac Collins: He started the company Anchor Hocking, which makes glass products.
- Edward and Rollin Swisher: Their family company makes Swisher Sweets cigars.
- H. R. Penney: He was the brother of J.C. Penney, who founded the well-known department store.
- Lewis Sells family: Members of this family, who owned the Sells Brothers Circus, have a special family crypt room in the Abbey.
Protecting the Abbey's Land
In 2001, the people in charge of Green Lawn Abbey thought about selling some of its land. A company that sells heavy construction machines wanted to buy it. This would have meant the Abbey would be surrounded by a lot full of backhoes and other large equipment. Luckily, this plan did not happen. However, people who admire the Abbey, especially fans of Howard Thurston, still worry about its future.
Efforts to Restore Green Lawn Abbey
Many people want to save and restore Green Lawn Abbey. In August 2008, a group called the Green Lawn Abbey Preservation Association (GLAPA) was formed. This group is a non-profit organization, which means they work for a good cause and not for money.
GLAPA's Preservation Work
GLAPA is working hard to bring the Abbey back to its original beauty. They also want to teach the community about the Abbey's history. Each fall, they hold historic re-enactments at the Abbey. They also have an open house event on Memorial Day for people to visit.
GLAPA is also working with the Columbus Landmarks Foundation. Together, they are looking for ways to restore the Abbey. They are also trying to get grants, which are funds given for special projects, to help pay for repairs.
Setbacks and Progress
In October 2009, the Abbey faced another challenge. Thieves broke in and stole several bronze gates. To protect the remaining gates, they were removed and put into safe storage. They will stay there until more restoration work can be done.
Despite these setbacks, progress has been made. By December 2010, two big projects to repair the roof were finished. These repairs are important to stop water leaks and protect the Abbey from further damage.
