Code,127021
Speaker,"Bob Hook, Garfield Monument Guide and Mary Kroemer, Lakeview Cemetery Public Relations Director"
Date,11/8/2011
Interviewer,James Lanese and Kenneth Valore
Abstract,"This is an interview with Bob Hook, Garfield Monument Guide and Mary Kroemer, Lakeview Cemetery Public Relations Director. In the first part of the interview there is discussion about former President Garfield and Hook as a history teacher. The interview continues with conversation about the monument regarding the design and raising funds for construction. It is noted the monument is the highest point at Lakeview with a view of Lake Erie. It was a major attraction and cemeteries were places to visit.  Later in the interview there is more detail about the construction of the monument.   In the later part of the interview there is more talk about present day activities and how the monument is used during Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies. In closing there is also some more detail about the cemetery and the band concerts on the hillside and walking tours."
Tags,comma-separated
Special Notes,"notes about high points, audio quality, etc..."
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0,"Introductions, Bob Hook Garfield Monument Guide and Mary Kroemer, Public Relations Director"
1,"Bob taught history at North Olmsted HS and worked at Williamsburg, VA. He has guided tours for eight years and gained many insights from meeting people."
2,Experience is like teaching; you clarify facts about the president.
3,Artifacts collections have been shared; met author of James Garfield's bio.
4,"Stories of ghosts of the monument; James Garfield communicated from beyond ""Do not execute my assassin, do what's best."""
5,Supplemental knowledge of Garfield.
6,He died in NJ in 1881; a meeting in Cleveland to offer a monument initiated collections.
7,His body was held in crypt for 2 years while donations mounted.
8,An architectural contest drew 50 entries; Keller was chosen
9,Keller visited Cleveland and Europe to be inspired.
10,Design was modified.
11,"The dome contains Venetian glass (Murano) depicting angels, trees of life, and cemetary motifs."
12,France provided  200 K pieces of marble for a mosaic; London sent stained glass
13,Windows represent 13 colonies with women and symbols.
14,Statue of Garfield as Congressman by Doyle (not bronze)
15,Red granite from Nova Scotia
16,Morrocan stone offers church-like feeling; high Victorian/Gothic building.
17,"Garfield was born in Moreland Hills, a carpenter, teacher, and worked on the Ohio canal"
18,"Schooled at Williams, he became President of Hiram College and a Lt. Col in the Union Army prior to representative in Congress."
19,He spent 17 years in the House before he became compromise candidate on the 38th ballot in 1880 convention.
20,Elected and served 200 days before assasination. Invitation from Cleveland to be interred at Lakeview
21,Monument is highest point at Lakeview with view of Lake Erie.
22,Donations list is documented 50% Ohio and 50% elsewhere.
23,"$225,000 total donated but not sufficient, 2 rooms remain empty"
24,12 pedestals have no statues and carved shields are incomplete.
25,"First 10 years, 67 million people visited with admission."
26,"It was a major attraction, but panned by Clevelanders"
27,Cemeteries were parks and places to visit; Lakeview was in the 'country' east of Cleveland
28,"By 1923, the JG Monument Commission mae Lakeview the owner and operator of the monument; some restoration has been completed."
29,T Simmons of Berea was the builder; construction of sandstone.
30,Building turned black since sandstone absorbs pollution
31,Italians came to build the dome recruited by Carabelli
32,The best stone carvers were Carabelli recruits
33,Many Italian workers buried next to Mayfield wall
34,An organ grinder story (with his monkey?) is also buried at LV
35,"There are 5 presidential monuments: Grant, McKinley, Harding, Lincoln, and Garfield."
36,This is a unique burial.
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38,Casket is on display; he was in receiving vault for 8.5 years prior to the monument placement.
39,Only president's casket on view; wife is next to him.
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41,Family decendants in tact
42,Monument is used for Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies.
43,Band concerts on hillside plus walking tours
44,No religious ceremoniesdespite Garfield an ordained minister of Desciples of Christ
45,Garfield was freemason president succeeded by Chester Arthur (one term)
46,A trap door is present in main hall to lower the casket
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48,The marble staircase was built late to accomodate transport of caskets
49,The view offers 40 miles of lake shoreline
50,April to November is open season with guides; Mentor and Moreland Hills also have Garfield family site museums.
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