Discussion on historic preservation with a focus on masonry, cemeteries, and gravestones.

A short walk and talk tour, visually surveying the existing conditions of the terrain and some of the most gravestone, and monuments on site. This is an interactive tour in which questions and discussion is encouraged.

Cleaning demonstrations will include:

-Safe and effective removal of biological activity with approved stone cleaners is discussed, demonstrated, and performed. Gravestones can be fragile and easily damaged when cleaned with the wrong chemicals, aggressively brushed, and/or pressure washed. Safe cleaning techniques are explained with options outlined for product selection.

-Graffiti removal and graffiti prevention discussion (if time allows)

-Overview for rust and lime / calcium removal from irrigation staining (if time allows)

After the cleaning demonstration, workshop participants are encouraged to adopt a gravestone and perform the cleaning process. Materials are supplied and available for use.

Veteran stones are a priority & will be cleaned at each event!

Some of the most common repairs will be discussed and demonstrated. Participants are encouraged to join in & help!

-Join a fractured tablet

-Raise and/or level a badly leaning, sunken or fallen tablet stone

-Reset and join elements of a multiple piece monument

-Problems associated with Portland cement

-Historic pointing mortars, formulations, applications, curing

*If time allows* A lifting tripod will be constructed and demonstrated

We recommend bringing some essentials to make the day comfortable: chair, cooler, water, snacks, etc.

We recommend wearing old clothing and closed toe footwear that you do not mind getting dirty, especially if you will be participating in the hands on segments. Depending on weather, you may also want to bring a hat and sunscreen.

There will be a brief pause during the day for lunch! (lunch is not typically provided)

First we need a location! An ideal location is a historic cemetery (or a cemetery with historic sections) that contains a number of stones in need of cleaning + repair. A cemetery with special significance is always a bonus, and accessibility is a must. Room for attendees to park, easy to find from the road, etc.

Most importantly, we need permission to hold a workshop here. This will come from whomever is in charge, or the owner, of the cemetery. This is typically a town, county, organization, or church, but can also be one person.

Water is a key component to cleaning, re-setting and re-leveling stones and monuments. Some cemeteries have running water available. If not, we kindly request the event co-host to provide water for the workshop!

Similar to water, crushed stone/gravel is necessary to facilitate gravestone & monument repair work and is very bulky and heavy. We request the local co-host to provide this material, which can typically be found at your local hardware store, garden center, or nursery.

We like to include photos on our event pages so that the cemetery is recognizable. We are extremely careful about pulling photos off of websites. Please send us original photos of the cemetery or let us know if there are images on your website or social media that we can use. (Entrance of the cemetery, shots of historic stones, broken stones, nice views, etc.)

Let’s spread the word! We will create event pages on this website, as well as our social media pages. Share these events online and in person and create your own. We will link your promotions and share as much as possible leading up to the workshop.