Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel
R St. at 29th St., NW., Washington, DCThe Joint Committee on Landmarks has designated the Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel a Category II landmark of importance that contributes significantly to the cultural heritage and visual beauty of the District of Columbia. This pleasing, well-proportioned Chapel was designed by James Renwick in 1850 and sits on the highest ridge of the cemetery. The Chapel often referred to as a miniature Gothic gem is an excellent example of Gothic Revival architecture. The finely proportioned chapel with its double lancet windows, skillful use of the material in the contrast of sandstone and gneiss as well as attention to detail reflect the sensitivity of the architect. The Chapel is the only known example of Renwick's Gothic Revival Church design in the District of Columbia, James Renwick, (1818-1895) architect of the Chapel, also designed Grace Church in New York City as well as St. Patrick's Cathedral. He was appointed architect of the Smithsonian Institution in 1846 and the resulting building was one of the most important examples of American Gothic Revival.
The original 12 1/2 acres of the approximately 16-acre site of Oak Hill Cemetery were conveyed to the cemetery company by William H. Corcoran in 1848. In addition to the gift of the cemetery, Corcoran spent over one hundred thousand dollars on its beautification and provided in its charter that it should "be forever inalienable." Corcoran (1798-1888) was an extremely generous man whose most notable gift to the City of Washington was the Corcoran Art Gallery (see National Register: Ren Corcoran Gallery of Art). Captain George de la Roche (1791-1861) was hired by Corcoran to survey and lay out the cemetery. De la Roche was by profession a civil engineer although he did practice known work was the old United States Naval Observatory. | The Oak Hill Cemetery is known not only for its beauty and wooded setting but also for some of the important monuments located there. The Van Ness Mausoleum (Category II Landmark) designed by George Hadfield and modeled after the Temple of Vesta is found in Oak Hill as in the granite monument to E.M. Stanton, the Secretary of War under Lincoln. Corcoran had the remains of John Howard Payne, author of "Home Sweet Home" removed to the cemetery. Alexander de Bodisco, the Russian Ambassador was buried there in 1854. Corcoran himself is buried in the cemetery. The cemetery gatehouse, built in 1850, is a handsome brick miniature Italianate villa.
Local significance of the building:
The original 12 1/2 acres of the approximately 16-acre site of Oak Hill Cemetery were conveyed to the cemetery company by William H. Corcoran in 1848. In addition to the gift of the cemetery, Corcoran spent over one hundred thousand dollars on its beautification and provided in its charter that it should "be forever inalienable." Corcoran (1798-1888) was an extremely generous man whose most notable gift to the City of Washington was the Corcoran Art Gallery (see National Register: Ren Corcoran Gallery of Art). Captain George de la Roche (1791-1861) was hired by Corcoran to survey and lay out the cemetery. De la Roche was by profession a civil engineer although he did practice known work was the old United States Naval Observatory. | The Oak Hill Cemetery is known not only for its beauty and wooded setting but also for some of the important monuments located there. The Van Ness Mausoleum (Category II Landmark) designed by George Hadfield and modeled after the Temple of Vesta is found in Oak Hill as in the granite monument to E.M. Stanton, the Secretary of War under Lincoln. Corcoran had the remains of John Howard Payne, author of "Home Sweet Home" removed to the cemetery. Alexander de Bodisco, the Russian Ambassador was buried there in 1854. Corcoran himself is buried in the cemetery. The cemetery gatehouse, built in 1850, is a handsome brick miniature Italianate villa.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The District was home to a thriving jazz scene in the mid-20th century: From the 1920s through the 1950s, Washington, D.C. was a hub for jazz musicians and clubs. Legendary performers such as Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker played in venues throughout the city.