About Melissa Banta
Consulting Curator, Historical Collections & ArchivesPosts
Elegance and Beauty of Expression: The Early Stained-Glass Windows of Bigelow Chapel

When entering Bigelow Chapel, one’s eye is immediately drawn to the brilliancy and beauty of its two large stained-glass windows: the Chancel Window, in the north wall of the building above the altar, and the Rose Window, in the south … Continue reading
Mount Auburn, the Rural Cemetery Movement, and Frederick Law Olmsted

Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted (1822 – 1903) was nine years old when Mount Auburn was founded in 1831. While he did not design the Cemetery, the enduring characteristics that made Mount Auburn a model for cemeteries and public parks … Continue reading
“A Most Beautiful and Commodious Building” Mount Auburn’s Story Chapel and Administration Building

The first thing you see when you pass through the entry gateway of Mount Auburn Cemetery is Story Chapel and the adjoining Administration Building. Since 1898, the old stone building has provided a setting for funeral and memorial services; a … Continue reading
The Genesis of The Experimental Garden at Mount Auburn Cemetery

Mount Auburn was born from the marriage of two ideas: an ornamental cemetery for the commemoration of the dead and an experimental garden in which to practice the art and science of horticulture.[1] The Cemetery’s founders were members of the … Continue reading