How about we explore a place where art meets history the Abbey Mausoleum? This is not just any building. It is the Philadelphia Mausoleum of Contemporary Art or PhilaMOCA.
PhilaMOCA resides in the historic Finney and Son building. This dates back to the 1850s. Originally, it was a showroom for mausoleums and tombstones.
The curators have a quirky sense of humor. This is evident in their selection of events. You might find a wrestling-themed art exhibit. Or maybe a Tim Burton-themed burlesque show.
PhilaMOCA offers a unique space. It is affordable for the local underground arts community. They showcase film, music, performance, and visual art. The venue has earned accolades. Philadelphia magazine awarded it “Best of Philly”. The Huffington Post included it in “21 Ways Philadelphia Is the Coolest City in America”.
However, PhilaMOCA faced a temporary closure. It happened in September 2019. The reason was zoning issues. Scheduled events were moved. Keep an eye on PhilaMOCA’s official site for updates about reopening.
Philadelphia once had another notable burial ground. It was Monument Cemetery. This cemetery existed from 1837 to 1956. It was the second rural cemetery in Philadelphia. Laurel Hill Cemetery was the first. Monument Cemetery spanned 20 acres. It held approximately 28000 burials.
A grand gothic gatehouse stood at the entrance. A 67-foot high obelisk honored George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. John Sartain designed it.
By the 1950s, Monument Cemetery declined. It was sold to Temple University and the Philadelphia Board of Education. About 28000 bodies were reinterred to Lawnview Memorial Park. Only 300 tombstones were moved. Many headstones and the monument were used as riprap. This occurred during the construction of the Betsy Ross Bridge. They can be seen on the shores of the Delaware River at low tide.
Dr. John A. Elkinton designed the cemetery in 1836 and 1837. The Monument Cemetery Company of Philadelphia was incorporated on March 19 1838. It was based on Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.
The gatehouse also served as a chapel. It was a gothic brownstone and brick structure. A towering spire topped it. The gatehouse was demolished in 1903. This allowed for the extension of Berks Street.
John Sartain designed the monument to Washington and Lafayette. The pedestal was 77 and a half square yards. This symbolized Lafayette’s 77 and a half years of life. The obelisk’s height was 67 feet and 10 inches. This represented Washington’s 67 years and 10 months of life. Thirteen steps above the pedestal signified the original 13 colonies.
Construction faced financial delays. It was eventually dedicated on May 29 1869.
The cemetery suffered from crime and vandalism. Rats infested it. Temple University wanted to purchase it. They planned to use it for athletic fields and a parking lot.
Most of the remaining headstones ended up as riprap. They were used during the construction of the Betsy Ross Bridge. Today, Temple University uses the land for athletic fields, a student pavilion, and a parking lot. The Board of Education uses their lot as a playground for George Washington Carver High School.
So next time you’re near PhilaMOCA remember its past. It is a place where art thrives in a building meant for remembrance.