Alva Erskine Smith Vanderbilt Belmont, Mausoleum

Title

Alva Erskine Smith Vanderbilt Belmont, Mausoleum

Creator

Hunt, Reuben Harrison

Contributor

Bysterbusch, Hailey

Biographical Text

This mausoleum was designed by architect R.H. Hunt in the “gothic flamboyant” style. It is made of limestone. The building is a nearly exact replica of the Chapel of Saint-Hubert in France.
Belmont commissioned the mausoleum to be constructed following the death of her husband, Oliver Belmont, in 1908.
Belmont opened the mausoleum to the public for tours as early as 1917. She was later interred in the mausoleum following her death in 1933. Also interred with her was the suffragist banner "failure is impossible." The public can still view the interior of the mausoleum through tours given today by the Friends of Woodlawn Cemetery. Tours of the mausoleum are still given today.

Date Created

1908

Type

English Grave

English Building

Bibliographic Citation

The Gilded Age at Woodlawn, Woodlawn Cemetery - Conservancy

Belmont Mausoleum, Mausoleums.com