Hollywood Cemetery, Est 1847, Richmond VA One of the first of the Rural or Garden Cemeteries in the US, Hollywood has many magnificent trees and plantings. Here is what's left of one of the great oaks, a tree that witnessed the founding of America.

President James Monroe Burial, 1858 Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond VA Our 5th President, James Monroe, died on July 4th, 1831, the third of the Founding Fathers to die on July 4th -- Adams & Jefferson died on the 4th, just 5 years earlier. The "Birdcage" Memorial was designed by Albert Lybrock

Lewis Ginter, Jefferson Hotel, Richmond VA Lewis Ginter opened "the finest hotel in America" in 1895. The hotel benefitted from the north-south seasonal migration of the very wealthy during the era known as the Gilded Age. Ginter's imposing mausoleum sits in Richmond's Hollywood Cemetery.

The Revere Bell, King's Chapel Bell Tower, Boston MA. The 2nd bell installed in the tower (1816), most likely cast by Paul Revere's son, Joseph Warren Revere. It weighs over 2400 pounds and is about 5 inches thick. This was Paul Revere's favorite bell -- and it is still rung today.

Stewart Mausoleum, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn NY This is the burial place of the parents of Isabella Stewart Gardner, the wealthy Bostonian who travelled the world collecting treasures that are now housed in the Gardner Museum in Boston. Augustus Saint Gaudens created the lovely bas reliefs

St Mary's Basilica, Wilmington NC The renowned Spanish architect, Raphael Guastavino, brought his unique tiling method to America in the late 1800s. His work can be found in many places, but the Basilica is a tour-de-force -- a spectacular display of vaulting, brickwork, and tiling.

Robert Gould Shaw / 54th MA Memorial, Boston MA Augustus Saint Guadens Of all Saint Gaudens' works, this Memorial took the longest to complete -- almost 15 years (instead of the expected two years!) Many of the 54th MA, including Shaw, were killed in the attack on Battery Wagner, SC, 18 July 1863

Bigelow Chapel, Mount Auburn Cemetery Cambridge, MA Designed by Jacob Bigelow, one of the founders of the cemetery The building is Quincy Granite; the large rose window over the entrance is from Edinburgh, Scotland, and is one of the earliest examples of stained glass in America

Trinity Church, Boston Window over the West entrance Christ in Majesty -- John LaFarge, 1883

Memorial to Irish Sculptors, Joseph and Martin Milmore "Death Stays the Hand of the Sculptor," Daniel Chester French Forget the Lincoln Memorial in DC, IMO, this is French's masterpiece. The bronze is the original at Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston. The marble version is in the Met Museum of Art, NYC

Entry Gate to Forest Hills Cemetery Jamaica Plain, Boston MA

George Robert White Memorial Forest Hills Cemetery, Jamaica Plain, Boston MA Another of sculptor Daniel Chester French's superb angels, this stately, imposing figure resides just on the edge of the forest and marks the grave of the well-known, well-respected Boston businessman/philanthropist

Dr Edward & Paul Revere Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge MA Grandsons of Paul Revere, both served in the 20th MA Dr Edward Revere died at the battle of Antietam, 17 Sept 1862, while tending a wounded soldier Paul Joseph Revere, died at Gettysburg, 4 July 1863, from wounds received on 3 July.

Rueger Memorial Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond VA Sculptor: Julius Loester The bronze statue was cast by the great Roman Bronze Foundry (Corona Queens, NY). Roman Bronze worked with many well-known Gilded Age sculptors, including the two greatest, Augustus Saint Gaudens & Daniel Chester French

Death Stays the Hand of the Sculptor Milmore Memorial Daniel Chester French Metropolitan Museum of Art French is known for his Lincoln Memorial in DC however, IMO, this is his masterpiece. Original is in bronze at Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston MA. The Met commissioned this in marble for the museum

From the Met Museum of Art in NYC, pulpit and choir rail from All Angels' Church (demolished 1978). Karl Bitter created this lively celebration of angels playing musical instruments and dancing as they make their way up to the pulpit. An angel above the sounding board announces the celebration.

Frank Lloyd Wright, Prairie School style Room from Francis Little's family summer home in Lake Minnetonka MN, moved to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing in 1972. The windows overlooked Lake Minnetonka

"Talking it Over" -- Enoch Wood Perry Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC The figures resemble George Washington & Abe Lincoln and recalls simpler times when people could sit and talk for awhile

Gadsby's Tavern Ballroom In the 1920s, the Met Museum in NY literally moved the ballroom from its original location in Gadsby's Tavern, Alexandria VA, to the museum. George Washington's Birthnight Ball was held in the ballroom for many years. At the Met, the room displays American furniture.

From the John Singer Sargent Exhibit, Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC John Singer Sargent, was an extraordinarily gifted painter and artist. The exhibit covers the first 10 years of his career, showcasing his abilities from a young age. This painting of Dr Pozzi was done when Sargent was just 25.

The view from our hotel last weekend -- Empire Hotel, NYC Lincoln Center is on the left, Central Park was two blocks away -- so convenient!

The Entombment of Christ, Washington National Cathedral & The Descent From the Cross, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC The Entombment depicts the small burial party led by Nicodemus, followed by St Joseph of Arimathea (carrying the Holy Grail), who gave his tomb for Christ's burial

Scenes of The Last Supper, Met Museum NYC & Anderson House, Washington DC. Today is Holy Thursday, the day of Christ's last supper with his disciples, before he was crucified. On the colorful polychrome piece (from Anderson House), notice the figure at the bottom right -- with the sack of coins.

Rock Creek Park, Washington DC Carved stonework from the US Capitol, dating to the early 1800s, was dumped into Rock Creek Park in the 1980s. The pieces were removed to Fort Meade a few years ago. Though scattered and covered in vines, the stones and their beautiful carvings were still visible

St Mary's Basilica, Wilmington NC The interior was designed & executed by the great Spanish architect and builder, Raphael Guastavino, who brought this particular tiling technique to America. The interior of St Mary's is a spectacular example of his work.

Susan Cerveny Colbert Memorial, "Woman Emerges" Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington DC Sculptor: Jay Hall Carpenter Colbert, who died at age 44, worked for IBM on the design of computer-guided air traffic control systems for the FAA. To me, the sculpture suggests, perhaps, an "unfinished" life

Angel by Brenda Putnam, Simon Memorial Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington DC Putnam's rendering of Angel, one of the most elegant memorials in Rock Creek Cemetery, honors concert pianist, Anne Simon. Text: A Soul Whose Eyes Were Keener than the Sun, A Soul Whose Wings Were Wider than the World

Opha May Jacob Johnson Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington DC Johnson, the first female member of the Marine Corps, enlisted in the Reserve at age 39 in August 1918, and earned the rank of Sergeant. A salute to the women who pave the way, open the gates, take the heat, and show how to lead!

Arlington National Cemetery Display Room Medals given to the American WWI Unknown Soldier Such high honors given from European countries to a soldier "Known but to God"

Scilla & Dahlia -- One of my favorite color combinations in the garden -- or anywhere

Honoring the great 19th-century artist and sculptor, Augustus Saint Gaudens, born on 1 March 1848

The Corby Mausoleum Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington DC William & Charles Corby operated the Corby Baking Co in the 1890s. The company developed baking techniques that would produce the quintessential white loaf that we all loved with peanut butter and jelly, Wonder Bread #WonderBread

Victorian Funeral Carriage Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington DC, 2022 This carriage suddenly appeared, trundling up the path. My first thought was "Scroooooge." Then I thought it might be coming for me! Actually, it was probably there for a video shoot #victorianmourning

David Brinkley, Oakdale Cemetery NC Together with Chet Huntley -- the nightly Huntley-Brinkley Report, most-watched news show during the Vietnam Era. Bringing the war into living rooms around the country each night, reading a list of casualties. #graveyard

Henry Bacon, Oakdale Cemetery Wilmington, NC Bacon was the architect of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. He and sculptor, Daniel Chester French worked together on the memorial -- their artistic partnership spanned 25+ years -- & many other well-known monuments, both public and private.

Marble Lions – Boston Public Library Sculptor: Louis Saint-Gaudens The two lions, gifts from the men of the 2nd & 20th MA Infantry, are carved from Siena marble and flank the grand staircase. From the staircase, the lion on the right honors the 2nd MA, the lion on the left honors the 20th MA

From the FDR Memorial in Washington, DC

Each year in May, Washington National Cathedral in DC holds a Flower Mart and at the same time, the nearby embassies send floral arrangements for display around the building. These photos are from a few years ago -- from the Royal Thai Embassy, the "flowers" are made of fruits & vegetables!

The Dream Garden: Maxfield Parrish & Tiffany Studios. In the early 1900s, publisher Cyrus Curtis commissioned artist Maxfield Parrish and fabricator Louis Comfort Tiffany to create a mural for the lobby of his building, the Curtis Publishing Company in Philadelphia.

George Robert White Memorials Forest Hills Cemetery & Boston Public Garden Sculptor: Daniel Chester French White owned the Potter Drug & Chemical Corp and throughout his life he supported many causes around Boston: Massachusetts General Hospital, College of Pharmacy, and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Edward Everett Hale, Boston Public Garden Grand-nephew of Nathan Hale, Edward was a respected minister and writer. He also served as Chaplain of the US Senate and someone once asked him if he prayed for the Senators, to which Hale replied: “No, I look at the Senators, and pray for the country.”

Rock Creek Cemetery, Paul Raymond Tully Tully's unique grave marker consists of a base, a Windsor chair, 2 coffee cups, and a newspaper folded on the chair. Tully was the political director of the Democratic National Committee and one of the party's top strategists. He died in 1992, at age 48.

Mary Wigglesworth, Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge MA Carved in marble, this striking Victorian vernacular piece is incredibly detailed. Little is known about the carver, William Lydon, but he was obviously a skilled artist and craftsman who put much time and thought into this cradle.

Chickering monument, “The Realization of Faith” Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge MA As a craftsman and inventor, Jonas Chickering (1798-1853) established Chickering & Sons Pianos in 1823. Chickering was the first piano manufacturer in America – and you can still find some of his pianos today.

Aquia Episcopal Church, Stafford VA Built in 1757 Building the church cost over 100,000 pounds of tobacco (the currency of the time). George Washington's army passed by during the Revolutionary War and both Union and Confederate troops camped here during the Civil War. See alt text for more info

John Harvard & Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet Two early pieces by sculptor Daniel Chester French John Harvard: Harvard University, Cambridge MA Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet: Gallaudet University, Washington DC Best known for the Lincoln Memorial, French's body of work honors many other influential Americans

Edwin Booth Memorial, Gramercy Park NYC Actor, brother of John Wilkes, founder of the Players' Club in New York, Booth survived the family disaster when his brother assassinated Abraham Lincoln. Even with that, he remained a popular actor. He is buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge MA

Gracie -- The Girl in Glass Forest Hills Cemetery, Jamaica Plain MA This life-sized statue honors Grace Sherwood Allen, who was not quite 5 years old when she died in 1880. She holds stems of daisies and primrose, symbols of innocence and youth.

Death & the Sculptor, Daniel Chester French Forest Hills Cemetery, Jamaica Plain MA French (Lincoln Memorial) depicts the moment that death touches the sculptor's stylus -- his earthly work is done. Memorial to 2 young sculptors, Joseph & Martin Milmore, who are buried near the memorial

Saint John's Church, Washington DC "The Church of the Presidents" Abraham Lincoln attended evening services here during the Civil War, making the short walk from (and back to) the White House alone. The pew where he sat, in the very back of the balcony, is marked with a plaque.