Thanks for keeping up with the latest news and information concerning the Green Lawn Abbey.  We will post information here about our projects and fundraisers as well as how your donations are being put to use.
 

Goal - Summer 2008

Our immediate goal is to raise $30,000 this summer in order to complete Phase I Emergency Repairs before winter comes around again.  In the last several years the Abbey has begun to suffer significant deterioration from the elements.  The foundation corners are beginning to sag.  Rain is leaking into the portico, freezing during the winter and forcing large granite blocks to jut out of place.  Rain is also coming in through the roof and deteriorating the marble columns, marble floors, and the 1st floor plaster ceilings.  At this point everything is still reversible – but for how much longer?

Phase I Emergency Repairs include repairs to the rubber membrane roof (which is only about 10 years old), termination bars, Spanish tiles, grading around the building, gutter and downspouts and other things which will stop the deterioration until the remaining funds can be raised for a full restoration.

Can you help?  Green Lawn Abbey Mausoleum is one of the finest examples of neoclassical architecture in central Ohio and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in June 2007.  It is the final resting place for hundreds of men and women who helped build and shape Columbus from the late 1800’s to the mid 1900’s.  Help preserve this local treasure and make a donation to the Columbus Landmarks Foundation for the benefit of Green Lawn Abbey.  We need your help now!  Your donation is tax deductible.  Just make your check out to Columbus Landmarks Foundation with a note in the memo section saying it is for Green Lawn Abbey.  Mail your check to Columbus Landmarks at 61 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, OH  43215.  For credit card donations, call 614-221-0227 and your information will be taken over the phone.
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

   

 
 
 

 
   
May 26, 2008

- Memorial Day Open House -

Over 300 visitors came to Green Lawn Abbey during our first Memorial Day Open House, which we think was a huge success!  We want to thank everyone who took the time to stop by.  Visitors included families of some of the “residents”, members of local historical societies, neighborhood people and just the curious.  We were thanked profusely for opening the building to the public after so many years of being closed to the public.  Many said they admired the Abbey for decades, not even knowing what the building was for.

We met family members of Fredericka Steube, Herbert Rice Penney and Howard Thurston as well as the Sells, Lerch and Cones families.  We hope they all chose to become active in helping us document the history of the Abbey and her “residents” and support our restoration efforts in any way they can.

If you or someone you know has family in Green Lawn Abbey, please get in contact with us.  We are collecting information, obituaries, pictures and histories for putting together our historical tours and to document the historical significance of this one-time premier burial location.
 
 
October 27, 2007

Green Lawn Abbey tour stop was the favorite stop on the Columbus Landmarks Foundation “Dead End Bus Tour”.   The Abbey appeared as a glowing beacon on a hill.  Six historic figures entombed in the Abbey were brought to life by members of the Friends of Green Lawn Abbey (and a few of their friends).  Re-enactors portrayed Mayor George Karb, James K. Polk Barker (civil war veteran), Dr. Edward Reinert (radium pioneer), Estelle Bostwick (wife of Judge Homer Bostwick), Louis Sells (circus owner) and of course internationally famous magician Howard Thurston.  We hope to continue historic tours the summer of 2008.  Watch for more information.

         

Photos are courtesy of Roxanne Davis of Reflections Photography
 
 
September 27, 2007
The Columbus Landmarks Foundation is including Green Lawn Abbey as one of the tour stops on  their "Dead End Bus Tour".  This year's bus tour is focused on the haunts of Franklinton, the oldest and most historic part of Columbus.   Like all tours provided by Landmarks, expect a strong focus on history and architecture as well as the macabre.  The stop at the Abbey includes historic representations of just a few of the notables buried within.  Program information will be listed shortly at http://columbuslandmarks.org.  Tickets for the bus tour are limited and are expected to go very quickly.
 
 
July 16, 2007
We received notification today that Green Lawn Abbey has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places effective June 27, 2007!   The National Register listing provides recognition of the property's historic importance and assures protective review of Federal projects that might adversely affect the historic character of the property. 
 
This prestigious listing is important to us as it recognizes the Abbey for it's outstanding historic and architectural merit.  This we hope will appeal to financial sponsors.  Without their (make that your ) financial support, the Abbey remains vulnerable.  Listing on the National Register puts no legal restrictions on the property.  The mausoleum and property could still be razed or sold off in pieces. 
 
Join the effort to save this beautiful landmark!  Become a member of the Friends of Green Lawn Abbey and become one her "supporting angels" by helping with a tax-deductible contribution to the restoration project.
 
 
December 1, 2006
We recently submitted Green Lawn Abbey to the National Register of Historic Places.  The nomination went up for review by the Ohio Historic Preservation Office on December 1st, and it practically sailed through what is normally a very tough process!  The OHPO will now forward the nomination to the National Park Service for its final approval and award of the plaque.  We will let you know when this happens.
 
 
September, 2006
Again, the efforts to raise money for the Green Lawn Abbey mausoleum are noted in a 5 page article written by Richard Lane, in the September 2006 issue of "M-U-M" magazine, the magazine for members of the Society Of American Magicians.  This article covers the Rory Feldman, Howard Thurston collection and how he has helped raise money by making "Thurston Buttons".

   

     

 
 
August, 2006
The efforts to raise money for the Green Lawn Abbey mausoleum are noted in a 6 page article written by Robin Smith, in the August 2006 issue of "The Linking Ring" magazine, the magazine for members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

Click Here To Read The Entire Article In PDF Format
 
 
July 1, 2006
A group of volunteers gathered this weekend to record the names of all those interred within the walls of Green Lawn Abbey.  With such a great team of workers, we recorded all the names and dates in short order.  Next is research.  Our goal is to find an obituary for every name we have recorded.  We believe there are many prominent citizens entombed at the Abbey.

While we were working on Saturday, the granddaughter of one of the families buried in the Abbey stopped in with her husband.  She said they stopped by Memorial Day weekend and can already see a big improvement in the Abbey without the 4' high weeds and litter out front.  She said her 89 year old father, whose parents and sister are buried at the Abbey, will be so gratified something is being done.  We hope she and other family members of those buried at the Abbey will join our cause and support us to the best of their ability wherever they may live.

If you have family in Green Lawn Abbey, we would love to hear from you.  Besides obituaries, we are attempting to put together pictures and family stories of the “residents” for a genealogical website and historic tours we hope to start at the Abbey.  Click on "Contact Us" at the top of the page for information on how to reach us.
 
 
June 10, 2006
An Abbey Day of Service was called for June 10th.  Despite a day of continuous rain, new volunteers arrived with rakes and weed-whackers.  We worked in the rain picking up trash, yard waste and broken glass and cut down 4' high weeds (which included quite a bit of poison ivy in the mix).  For those of you who helped, we extend our deepest appreciation. 

All the volunteers expressed their appreciation there is at last some effort being made to help this "grand dame".  Most of the volunteers have had a long time affection for the Abbey just no outlet for their energy.  Skills assessments are underway and it appears that some of the Abbey's new found friends have knowledge of fundraising, research ability, and computer/website skills which should come in very handy.
 
 
February, 2006
On February 2nd - 4th Green Lawn Abbey was represented by Columbus Landmarks Foundation at the 75th annual Magi-Fest in Columbus, Ohio.  Magi-Fest is a major convention of amateur and professional magicians from all over the United States.  Janice Loebbaka of Columbus Landmarks Foundation and magician Rory Feldman worked a booth all weekend.  Rory Feldman drew attention to the booth with his very eye-catching lapel buttons featuring 36 different poses of Howard Thurston.  Profits from the button sales will benefit Green Lawn Abbey's restoration.

See Rory Feldman's site, www.ThurstonMasterMagician.com if you are interested in purchasing buttons or seeing more pictures of the event.

Janice Loebbaka, Jep Hostetler, and Rory Feldman at our Magi-Fest booth

We wish to extend our thanks to Jep Hostetler, the executive director of the Magi-Fest.  Receiving our call just a few weeks before the long-planned event, Jep didn't hesitate to provide us a booth so that we could bring our story about Green Lawn Abbey and Thurston's Tomb to the magic community.  Our goal was to raise a few dollars but more importantly to reach out to the "magic community" for their important support in preserving the historic tomb of one of the greatest magicians of all times, Howard Thurston.
   
Program from the 2006, 75th Annual Columbus Magi-Fest   The 36 different Thurston button images that were for sale   The Power-Point presentation at our booth showing the Green Lawn Abbey Mausoleum

 
 
October, 2005
In October we received a $1,500 anonymous donation from a family whose grandparents are entombed in Green Lawn Abbey.  Since they requested their contribution be used to reduce vandalism, the very tall hedgerow that separates the Abbey from Greenlawn Avenue was cut down.  The great open view of the Abbey has really help curb the destruction

Thank you so much for your donation!   A wonderful way to honor your grandparents.
 
 

Check back shortly for more information and updates.

Thank you!

 

 

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