Van Ness Mausoleum

The Van Ness Mausoleum in Washington, D.C., is a historic structure designed by George Hadfield in 1824. It is considered a copy of the Temple of Vesta in Rome and was originally built as a burial site for the family of then-mayor John Peter Van Ness. The monument housed several family members, including Van Ness himself, who was interred there in 1847. In 1872, the structure was relocated to Oak Hill Cemetery in the Georgetown neighborhood. Today, the mausoleum is a protected landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which underscores its architectural and cultural significance for the region.