Thomas Foster Memorial, north of Uxbridge, Ontario - a sunny day
Inspired by the Taj Mahal as well as by Byzantine architecture, this Indiana limestone structure was built in 1935-36 to eventually house the bodies of Thomas Foster (mayor of Toronto between 1925 and 1927), his wife and his daughter.
Autumn, an overcast day
The metal on the entrance doors and windows are bronze. On Friday nights during the summer, concerts are held inside.
A few of the building's outside details
Marble and mosaics inside are beautiful. Taking my camera inside is on my to-do list. I just need to coordinate being there at times when it's open!
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53 comments:
That is quite a burial structure!
What a gorgeous structure that is very reminiscent of European churches. If I understood correctly Foster was mayor for only two years. He must have had quite an impact or served in some other capacity in order for his body to be housed along with his wife and daughter in such a prestigious setting. I love the idea of music ringing though the glass and marble of this church.
What an extraordinary building!
It's beautiful. I bet the sound is nice for concerts. Hope you'll be able to show us the inside sometime!
yeah, I agree with Halcyon - I'd like to see the inside. but the outside is so lovely and the reflections you've captured in that second photo are beautiful. it's just a gorgeous building with many domes! have a great day E G!
This is a very impressive building. The details are beautiful. It must be fairly large if concerts are held inside.
A very impressive edifice, he must have been a very wealthy man. My first thought was that it was extravagant self indulgence but if it is put to use other than to house his remains it's not so bad. I guess I'm just an unrepentant humanist; I think excess funds should be put to better use.
Lindas fotos! Me senti viajando por aí!
Wonderful place, the entrance, those stained glass are beautiful.I also love the collage with all details!
Léia
I wonder if I'll start a rant here about visions of grandeur for the deceased... No, I think I'll refrain. ;-) Still, it's a beautiful building.
Boy, are Ciel and I on the same page! As I was scrolling down I was trying to formulate the words, but she's said it! An elegant piece of architecture, for sure.
that's a very unique building. great shots.
What a strange place! a mix of architectures, a cemetery but with concerts..fascinating!
That's a very impressive memorial. The shots of the outside architecture are great. I'll look forward to seeing your future post after you go inside with your camera.
Wow! I have never even heard of this place - it is worth a trip up there to see it. Great!
It really does bring the Taj Mahal to mind. I think it is interesting that there are concerts held there.
You said to "eventually" house the remains. Does that mean they are not housed there? I would find it a little spooky going to a concert ~ rock or otherwise ~ in a mausoleum! If it was rock, it might wake the dead! Oh, so many entendres there!
A muasoleum that also hosts concerts? What an interesting combination. I would love to explore that building in person! :D
Thanks for sharing.
A very impressive memorial indeed! And very unique! Love your photos as always and, as always, I enjoy the information you include! Great post for the day! Enjoy your week!
Sylvia
such a beautiful building!
Kathy,
When it was built in 1936, Foster was still alive. He and his family's remains are there now as well as the remains of a few other people.
FYI: Foster was a wealthy man. He made a lot of money in real estate. It's also interesting to note that this building was erected during the Great Depression.
I find it fascinating the many different reactions this building is is getting!
Interesting ornate building, nice setting too:)
How interesting and the architecture and the stonewalls fascinating.
What a wonderful place! I can hardly wait to see the inside. I am surprized to know there are concerts inside but what a neat idea.
what a grandiose mausoleum. is it open for visitors?
The search for immortality so often leads people to build grandiose tombs for themselves. From the mound graves to the pharaohs and to our own times. We only get to touch our immortality by dieing, a simple and natural occurrence.
Thank you for showing us this folly of man. Nice to think it is being put to a useful purpose at least.
what an interesting place to hold concerts.
It is a beautiful memorial. The outside details and structure look grand. I'm sure the inside is beautiful too.
I love how they bring their ideas of 'good' architecture to the new world!
it's a beautiful place
I love the door
Toronto is the most amazing city in Canada,although probably the most hated. Oh well the hate is inspired by inferiority. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Awesome building and nice shots! The idea of concerts inside a memorial is strange to me.
Inspired by Taj Mahal?! Beautiful memorial, nice collage created.
EG, this is wonderful...love coming across a post with something like this. Just such an amazing structure.
That is very nice. I love how the building is being used for something besides a memorial. It has such windows and nice doors. I can't wait for you to take some pics of the inside.
That's quite the eleaborate building!
It is a special building with a wide range of features deserving of some attention.
That is amazing!
What an impressive, beautiful building, with my favorite color blue! I prefer the photo taken on a cloudy autumn day: the colors are deeper than the other’s whitish color. Details are pleasantly offered in a frame. Thank you.
Very interesting. Cool to have a building in Canada that takes it's inspiration from the Taj Mahal.
Those doors and windows are so beautiful! What gorgeous shots of lovely architecture.
My goodness---A mansion honoring one's own death. Hmmmm
MB
beautiful archtecture and photos
wonderful details, nice posting
Thats a intersting set of influences in one building.
Cheers - Stewart M - Australia.
what a beautiful memorial and such lovely architecture.
I love the reflections in the windows of the second photo - they pale sky shows up the metal work so well!! I wonder if it has ever been used as a quilting pattern?
It's a magnificent structure. Can't imagine someone actually thinking he or she was important enough to have such an elaborate burial place! :-)
I agree with my friend Penelope, near the top of the comments, there must have been some reason other than two years as mayor for wanting a mausoleum as magnificent as this. Music is a very good idea.
-- K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
a beautiful building.
Probably a good thing mausoleums have gone out of style, but still, those flat, unrelieved pastures that cemeteries now are have far less interest.
Breathtaking!! Color of limestone, windows and door, everything is in place in harmony.Peaceful!
Especially I love bronze windows and door because they are changing its beauty through time gracefully. Thank you.
The roof that looks like a soildier's hat. One of the flew of a Christchurch building and landed intact on the ground, must be made of a strong steel.
What a magnificent buildning! At first I thought it was a church..!
:)
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