Arlington Mausoleum

Gazing upon Arlington Mausoleum, can you sense the echoes of history? Arlington Mausoleum in Drexel Hill has stood since 1895. This isn’t just a place of rest. It’s a storybook of Philadelphia’s past, etched in stone and whispered on the wind. Arlington Cemetery, which includes the mausoleum, sprawls across 130 acres. Within these grounds lies a fascinating blend of history, architecture, and cultural shifts. The cemetery was founded in 1895. Fast forward to the 1920s. Massive walls, designed by A. E. Wightman, were erected, encircling the cemetery. The 1980s saw a dramatic transformation. Arlington Cemetery was reborn as a historical theme park. Replicas of George Washington’s Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello were added, serving as a funeral home and columbarium, respectively. Within Arlington Cemetery, you’ll find the Monticello Mausoleum. Its design loosely echoes Jefferson’s iconic Monticello. Under its dome hangs a bronze bell, a relic from Paul Revere’s foundry. This bell, initially cast for a Vermont church, eventually found its home here at Arlington Mausoleum. Arlington Cemetery boasts a rich tapestry of individuals. From authors like Lloyd Alexander to Nobel laureate Alan MacDiarmid, their stories intertwine within these walls. Athletes like baseball players Jack Clements, Sherry Magee, and Morrie Rath rest here as well. Even U. E. Baughman, Chief of the Secret Service under three presidents, found his final rest at Arlington. As you stand before Arlington Mausoleum, remember, you’re not just observing a structure. You’re standing on the grounds where time and memory converge, a place where history continues to whisper its secrets.