Location:
4001 N Clark St, Chicago IL (Graceland Cemetery)
Scope of work:
Fountain Restoration, Masonry Cleaning, Stone Replacement and Restoration, Monument Conservation, Traditional Surface Finishes
Project description:
Graceland Cemetery is a large Victorian era cemetery located in the north side community area of Uptown, in the city of Chicago, Illinois. It was established in 1860.
Marion executes work on a continual basis at Graceland Cemetery. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Graceland Cemetery founded in 1860 is the premier historic cemetery in the Midwest with burial sites of such notable figures as Louis Sullivan and Mies van der Rohe www.gracelandcemetery.org
Marion’s efforts on site have consisted of numerous grave markers, monuments, and family specific mausoleum restorations/conservations such as the Boldenweck Mausoleum, Nobel Obelisk, Bennett Monument, Palmer Monument, Hageman Mausoleum, Marshall Field Monument, Wacker Monument Getty Tomb, Altgeld, Pinkerton and many more. For this particular project Marion Restoration has removed existing coating and sealants and installed new one, because existing coating was beyond its useful life and was no longer waterproof. Water penetrating into the structure through membrane openings was damaging the structure with the freeze/thaw cycle over time.
All memorials on site vary greatly in design, material, and fabrication. Granite, limestone, sandstone, marble, and metal can all be found on site. Many repairs are initiated by nature, as post-storm damage from felled trees was extensive in 2010.