10/11/2023
Introducing Graceland Cemetery's New Ironwork Archway
It’s all in the details… we visited .robinson.inc this past month to see the ironwork archway come to life before the grand opening this weekend!
Hoerr Schaudt designed the stunning ironwork archway as an homage to Graceland’s original gothic stone gatehouse dating back to the cemetery’s founding in 1860. This ornate structure draws inspiration from the city's heritage and historic ironwork from neighborhoods across the city, including iconic designs like the Hull Court Gate at the University of Chicago (circa 1897).
The intricate ironwork motifs are a nod to the native wetland and prairie landscapes that once defined the region. The ironwork represents native flora and fauna of these ecosystems, like the Swamp White Oak, Bur Oak, Smooth Sumac, and Common Cattail, as well as once abundant but now endangered Short-Eared Owl and Red-Eared Slider Turtle.
But this archway is more than just a beautiful structure; it's a symbol of evolution. It marks the threshold between the bustling city and the tranquil cemetery, between celebration and remembrance, and between the present and the past. Graceland Cemetery is the eternal resting place of the visionaries who built the places and industries that define Chicago. Just as they developed a city on the land where prairie and wetlands once converged, this archway signifies their eternal rest in the embrace of nature.
Let's celebrate the harmonious blend of history, nature, and artistry that defines our beloved city of Chicago!
📸: Scott Shigley
