Mount Holly Mausoleum
Encyclopedia
The Mount Holly Mausoleum was designed by architects Thompson and Harding in 1917 and is located in Little Rock, Arkansas
. Its architectural significance lies in its austerity of simple Greek Revival design. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1982. The mausoleum
is located in the northwest corner of Little Rock's oldest and most picturesque cemetery, Mount Holly
(which is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places).
Constructed of limestone
, the building is composed of a central entrance block flanked by two smaller wings. The entrance is framed by two fluted Doric
columns which have been set back into the structure and are flush with the outside wall. A simple cornice
with cavetto molding
wraps the entire central block; the simple parapet
rises slightly higher over the entrance. The entrance features two double doors with multi paned leaded glass cames (grooved strips that hold together the panes) embellished with a laurel wreath
motif in stained glass
. Additionally, stained glass windows with predominant tones of gold, green, and lavender appear flanking the door and in the transom
as well as at the rear of the main block.
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. Its architectural significance lies in its austerity of simple Greek Revival design. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1982. The mausoleum
Mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or persons. A monument without the interment is a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type of tomb or the tomb may be considered to be within the...
is located in the northwest corner of Little Rock's oldest and most picturesque cemetery, Mount Holly
Mount Holly Cemetery
Mount Holly Cemetery is the original cemetery in the Quapaw Quarter area of downtown Little Rock, Arkansas, and is the resting place for numerous Arkansans of note...
(which is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places).
Constructed of limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
, the building is composed of a central entrance block flanked by two smaller wings. The entrance is framed by two fluted Doric
Doric order
The Doric order was one of the three orders or organizational systems of ancient Greek or classical architecture; the other two canonical orders were the Ionic and the Corinthian.-History:...
columns which have been set back into the structure and are flush with the outside wall. A simple cornice
Cornice
Cornice molding is generally any horizontal decorative molding that crowns any building or furniture element: the cornice over a door or window, for instance, or the cornice around the edge of a pedestal. A simple cornice may be formed just with a crown molding.The function of the projecting...
with cavetto molding
Molding (decorative)
Molding or moulding is a strip of material with various profiles used to cover transitions between surfaces or for decoration. It is traditionally made from solid milled wood or plaster but may be made from plastic or reformed wood...
wraps the entire central block; the simple parapet
Parapet
A parapet is a wall-like barrier at the edge of a roof, terrace, balcony or other structure. Where extending above a roof, it may simply be the portion of an exterior wall that continues above the line of the roof surface, or may be a continuation of a vertical feature beneath the roof such as a...
rises slightly higher over the entrance. The entrance features two double doors with multi paned leaded glass cames (grooved strips that hold together the panes) embellished with a laurel wreath
Laurel wreath
A laurel wreath is a circular wreath made of interlocking branches and leaves of the bay laurel , an aromatic broadleaf evergreen. In Greek mythology, Apollo is represented wearing a laurel wreath on his head...
motif in stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
. Additionally, stained glass windows with predominant tones of gold, green, and lavender appear flanking the door and in the transom
Transom (architectural)
In architecture, a transom is the term given to a transverse beam or bar in a frame, or to the crosspiece separating a door or the like from a window or fanlight above it. Transom is also the customary U.S. word used for a transom light, the window over this crosspiece...
as well as at the rear of the main block.