Editor’s Note: A version of this story was published in the Fall 2025 issue of Extant, a publication of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.
Photo: Peter Woodall
Laurel Hill Gatehouse
Location: 3822 Ridge Avenue
Built: 1836
Laurel Hill Cemetery, founded in 1836 along the banks of the Schuylkill River, was the first cemetery in the United States to be designated a National Historic Landmark. At the forefront of the rural cemetery movement, it offered a new vision for burial: one that reflected changing cultural attitudes toward death and merged natural beauty with personal remembrance.
At the heart of this vision stands the gatehouse, the cemetery’s last remaining original building. Designed by Scottish American architect John Notman, the gatehouse served as a formal threshold to a landscape shaped by scenic design, elaborate monuments, and botanical collections. Although modest in size, the gatehouse has long played a significant role as both a symbolic and functional entry point.
Photo: Peter Woodall
Mount Vernon Cemetery
Location: 3301 West Lehigh Avenue
Built: 1856
Hope is on the horizon for one of Philadelphia’s most overlooked historic cemeteries. Just up the hill from Laurel Hill Cemetery, Mount Vernon Cemetery, a 26-acre burial ground in Allegheny West, is preparing for a long-overdue revival after decades of neglect thanks to a new era of collaborative stewardship.
Founded in 1856 as a direct competitor to Laurel Hill, the cemetery was part of the rural cemetery movement, offering beautifully landscaped grounds and architect-designed monuments, including a stunning marble archway attributed to John Notman. The site is also home to the Gardel Monument, a pyramidal tomb by architect Napoleon LeBrun, adorned with marble figures by Belgian sculptor Guillaume Geefs.
After years of ownership disputes, a Philadelphia judge approved the transfer of the property to Steelmantown Cemetery Company, a national leader in green burials, the conclusion of an Act 135 conservatorship process. The Friends of Mount Vernon Cemetery, who have stewarded the site for the past four years, will continue and expand their role, overseeing public access, community engagement, and preservation efforts.
The plan is to create a “hybrid” cemetery model that combines green burials with historic restoration, cultural programming, and accessible green space. Security cameras have already been installed, and invasive overgrowth is being cleared. By 2026, pathways and structures are expected to be stabilized, and the site will be reopened to visitors and mourners alike. Mount Vernon is preparing a comeback, one rooted in memory, ecology, and renewed community connection.
Photo: Peter Woodall
Lansdowne Theater
Location: 31 North Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne
Built: 1927
The Lansdowne Theater stands as a stunning example of 1920s movie palace architecture. Designed in 1927 by renowned theater architect William H. Lee, it showcases the Spanish Revival style with an ornate interior that includes hand-painted ceilings, a grand chandelier and intricate plasterwork. For decades, it served as a vibrant cultural anchor, hosting films, live performances, and community events.
The theater closed in 1987 due to an electrical fire and the rise of alternative entertainment options. Years of vacancy and neglect led to significant deterioration, with water damage and deferred maintenance placing the building at risk. Fortunately, the Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation and local advocates recognized its cultural and architectural value, launching an ambitious restoration campaign.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the theater has benefited from generous public and private support. A multiphase rehabilitation effort is now nearing completion, preserving original features such as the vaulted auditorium ceiling, ornate stage proscenium, and iconic marquee, while modernizing the building for its new life as a live music venue.
The theater’s reopening marks a major milestone for Lansdowne, restoring a cherished landmark as a hub for arts and entertainment. Once again, it will host nationally and internationally recognized performers, drawing an estimated 100,000 annual visitors. The revitalization is expected to stimulate the local economy, generate new jobs, and reaffirm the theater’s role as a dynamic centerpiece for the community.
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