Major Preservation, Conservation & Restoration Projects: Past Gravestone Conservation Workshops

Upcoming Workshops : Past Workshops

Past Gravestone Conservation Workshops

2008

Cemetery Conservation Workshop
November 7th and 8th, 2008
Location: Brunswick Town, Old Smithfield and Oakdale Cemeteries, North Carolina
Jon Appell, Workshop Director

When historic cemeteries are overgrown or damaged it can be hard to know where to begin. The Southport Historical Society, the Historic Wilmington Foundation, the Friends of Oakdale, the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, and the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology’s Cemetery Survey and Stewardship Program are sponsoring two workshops that will address cemetery conservation and maintenance. Join in, for either or both days, for a fast paced workshop designed to educate and explore acceptable methods to restore and conserve our historic cemeteries.

Well intentioned people are often fooled by the seemingly strong materials from which cemetery markers, monuments and structures are made. Marble, granite, concrete and other materials are quite sensitive and should be treated with great care. The focus of the workshops is to provide attendees with a solid background of current cemetery conservation strategies and techniques that are designed to reduce inadvertent damage to cemetery markers, monuments and structures. This workshop promises to be an invaluable resource for those community members interested in learning the latest and best practices for cemetery conservation and preservation.

Day one of the workshop, which will be held on November 7th and only allow for twenty registrants, will be spent at Brunswick Town Cemetery, which is half-way between Wilmington and Southport, and the Old Smithfield Burying Ground in Southport. Registered participants will take an active role in cleaning, resetting, and restoring gravestones at these historic locations. Day two of the workshop, which will be held on November 8th and allow for thirty registrants, will be spent at Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington. This workshop will address the conservation issues demonstrated in the first workshop; however, the focus will include demonstrations instead of “hands-on” experience for attendees.

The fee for the workshop is $20.00 for Day 1 and $30.00 for Day 2. Registration is required to attend the workshop. To register for Day 1 please mail checks to Gravestone and Cemetery Conservation Workshop, c/o Southport Historical Society, P. O. Box 10014, Southport, NC 28461. To register for Day 2, please mail checks to Gravestone and Cemetery Conservation Workshop, c/o Historic Wilmington Foundation, 516 North Fourth Street, Wilmington,, NC 28401. Inquiries can be made to: Kevin Donald, Cemetery Survey and Stewardship Program, (919) 807-6563; Jeff Adolphsen, State Historic Preservation Office, (919) 807-6572; Pat Kirkman, Southport Historical Society, (910) 457-0579; or George Edwards, Historic Wilmington Foundation, (910) 762-2511. The pre-registration deadline is Oct 31st. The fee for late registration is $30.00 for Day 1, $40.00 for Day 2.

Basic Gravestone Restoration Workshop
Decatur, Georgia
November 3rd, 2008

Jonathan Appell of Gravestone Conservation will conduct a one day, hands on gravestone workshop in the historic Decatur (Ga.) Cemetery.

Listed on the National Register, Decatur Cemetery is the oldest pubic burial space in the Atlanta area with some graves dating back to the 1820's.

The workshop will involve active participation in repairing some of the older gravestones. A limited number of people can participate for a $60 fee.

Monday, November 3rd 8:30 to 3:30. For more information or to register for the workshop, please contact David Crenshaw of the Decatur Preservation Alliance at davidmcrenshaw@gmail.com or 440-285-8372

Meetings for the Georgia Municipal Cemetery Association

September 9, 2008....Gainesville, GA, Alta Vista Cemetery, Soil Scientist Jim Lathem will do a 1/2 day class on Soil Types and a Demonstration on Ground Penetrating Radar. Contact person...Vince Evans 770 535.6883 or vevans@gainesville.org

September 17, 2008....Sandersville, GA, Sandersville Firehouse, Dr. Erv Garrison, Archeologist will speak on disinterment in historic cemeteries. Contact Person ...Susan Lewis slewis@cantella.com

October 23, 2008....Elberton, GA, Georgia Municipal Cemetery Association's Annual Meeting, featuring changes to By -Laws, Election of 2009 Officers and Directors, and monument education. Contact Person.... James Adams JAdams@cityofelberton.net

October 27, 2008....Columbus, GA, Conservator Jon Appell will do a one day workshop on monument repair and restoration. Contact person....Deborah Abraham DAbraham@columbusga.org

October 29, 2008....Sandersville, GA, a second one day workshop by Conservator Jon Appell on monument repair and restoration. Contact person....Susan Lewis slewis@cantella.com

October 31, 2008....Gainesville, GA, a third one day workshop by Conservator Jon Appell on monument repair and restoration.

Contact person....Vince Evans 770 535.6883 vevans@gainesville.org

October 2009....Rome, GA, a Natural Disaster Preparedness Conference for Georgia Cemeteries. Contact person.... Stan Rogers

srogers@romega.us

Basic Gravestone Restoration Workshop
October 31, 2008 Gainesville, GA

HPD will co-sponsor Gravestone Conservation Workshops

The Historic Preservation Division is pleased to announce its co-sponsorship of four "hands-on" gravestone conservation workshops around the state this fall, during October and November. The workshops will be one-day events held in cemeteries in Gainesville, Columbus, Sandersville, and Decatur. HPD is partnering with the Decatur Preservation Alliance and Friends of Decatur Cemetery to conduct the Decatur workshop, and with the Georgia Municipal Cemetery Association to conduct the remaining three workshops.

Mr. Jonathan Appell, noted gravestone conservator from West Hartford, Connecticut, will be teaching these workshops, http://gravestoneconservation.com. He'll discuss various kinds of stones, why they decay or get broken, and an overview of how to repair them, followed by instruction in the most common gravestone preservation techniques. Cemetery caretakers can learn effective, hands-on skills for doing simple repair and resetting of tombstones in their own cemeteries.

Mr. Appell recently conducted a three-day cemetery conservation workshop in the respected historic preservation program at the Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies in Mt. Carroll, Illinois, www.campbellcenter.org, and has worked in several Georgia cemeteries in the past.

HPD is able to provide financial support for these workshops using proceeds from the sale of our cemetery preservation guidebook, Grave Intentions: A Comprehensive Guide to Preserving Historic Cemeteries in Georgia, fulfilling our commitment of using those funds to advance cemetery preservation in Georgia. See this page on our website for book information: http://www.gashpo.org/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=103)

Please site our Web site at http://www.gashpo.org/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=443 for workshop registration information.

Basic Gravestone Restoration Workshop
October 29, 2008 Sandersville, GA

Basic Gravestone Restoration Workshop
October 27, 2008 Columbus, GA

Cemetery Preservation and Conservation Workshop
Date/Time: Saturday, October 11, 9:00am - 4pm
Location: Elizabethtown, NJ

The Adirondack History Center Museum (AHCM)/ Essex County Historical Society, and Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH), will present a cemetery preservation and conservation workshop led by Jon Appell, of New England Cemetery Services, West Hartford, Connecticut. The day will include a presentation followed by a hands-on demonstration, during which participants will work on gravestones in a local cemetery.

Learn about the origins of gravestone carving in America; various stone types and styles; and the progression of repair techniques from the 1900s to the present. We will also learn basic stone repair techniques and how to properly clean gravestones.

The workshop begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. The cost of the workshop is $40 for AARCH, AHCM, and Essex County Historical Society members, and $45 for non-members. For more information or to make reservations, call AARCH at: (518) 834-9328. See flyer

Gravestone Conservation Workshop
directed by Jonathan Appell
Date : Sunday, October 19, 2008
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Barker-Quaker Burial Grounds
Boston Post Road, Larchmont, NY
(Next to Sherwood’s Restaurant)
Cost: This workshop is free and open to the public. Dress for the weather!

Join the Larchmont Historical Society for a Gravestone Restoration Workshop to be held in the Barker-Quaker Burial Grounds in Larchmont, New York. Professional gravestone conservator and monument mason Jonathan Appell will demonstrate the proper techniques for cleaning gravestones, resetting monuments, repairing broken stones, and conservation of early gravestones.

Jonathan Appell is a historic stone conservator and founder of New England Cemetery Services, West Hartford, CT. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) and is affiliated with many professional organizations.

For more information, email Dee van Eyck, LHS Cemetery Restoration Project Leader at DeeSummitDesign@aol.com.

Basic Gravestone Restoration Workshop
Date/Time: Thursday, August 16, 2008, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Castine Cemetery, off Court Street, Castine, ME
View an article about the event in PDF format

Gravestones are a rock-solid connection with the people of our past. Some of these stones, however, are showing the ravages of time and need help. The Wilson Museum, in conjunction with the Castine Cemetery Association, will host a Basic Gravestone Restoration Workshop with Jonathan Appell on Saturday, August 16, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Castine Cemetery off Court Street. This is a free workshop and attendees are invited to participate in the resetting of a sunken and/or badly leaning stone, cleaning a stone, and rejoining a broken gravestone.

As a result of this workshop, the gravestones of the Robert Perkins family will be repaired and straightened. Robert Perkins was the son of John and Phebe Perkins of Castine. John was the original builder of the Wilson Museum 's John Perkins House. Robert and his wife Miriam started a home on Perkins Street which is now the administrative offices of the Museum.

Jonathan Appell, who refers to himself as a “Monumental Mason,” is an independent gravestone conservator from Connecticut working throughout the United States performing gravestone conservation training workshops and cemetery preservation projects.

For more information Contact: Wilson Museum, Debbie Morehouse 326-9247

12th Annual International Preservation Trades Workshop (IPTW) 2008
Barre, Vt., July 18-20

Learn how to repair damaged gravestones using traditional techniques. Get a better understanding of what you should do to clean stone elements in cemeteries. Understand how to lift and reset grave markers safely and correctly. See more information at http://www.iptw.org/iptw08-schedule.htm

Gravestone Conservation Workshop in North Cemetery
Portsmouth, NH July 12, 2008
View photos from this workshop

The Portsmouth New Hampshire Blue Ribbon Cemetery Committee cordially invites you to attend a Gravestone Restoration Workshop to be held in the historic North Cemetery in Portsmouth New Hampshire. This workshop will cover a number of restoration techniques by professional gravestone conservator and monument mason Jonathan Appell. These include the proper techniques for cleaning gravestones, resetting monuments, break repairs and conservation of early gravestones.

Date: July 12, 2008
Time: 9:00am – 4:30pm
Location: North Cemetery, Maplewood Avenue, Portsmouth, NH (across from the Old Portsmouth Herald building)

There will be no charge for attending this workshop but a $10 per person donation would be appreciated. In case of inclement weather, a rain date will be determined and displayed on our website at http://www.portsmoutholdgraves.org. You can also email info@portsmoutholdgraves.org for more information. Please bring your own lunch or be prepared to purchase one from a number of local eateries. Bring your own chairs for outdoor seating.

The Association for Gravestone Studies Conference
Amherst, MA, June 18- June 22

AGS, Basic Gravestone Conservation Workshop
June 18 evening lecture, June 19 conservation workshop
at the historic West Cemetery in Amherst, MA
Please contact AGS directly,
http://www.gravestonestudies.org/conferences.htm

Gravestone Conservation Workshop in Hanover Cemetery
Hanover, PA, June 20, 2008

On June 9, The Hanover Cemetery in Hanover Twp. will celebrate it's 232 birthday. Founded on June 9, 1776 by Lazarus Stewart and the original proprietors of Hanover Twp, we feel it is an historical jem, both for Hanover Twp. and all of the area. Because of an historic preservation grant from The Luzerne Foundation and generous donations from M.J. Judge Monument Co. and St. Mary's Monument Co. the Hanover Cemetery will sponsor a workshop on historic gravestone conservation featuring Jonathan Appell, a renowned expert on gravestone restoration and conservation. Northeast Pa. weather has taken a toll on our historic markers; dating back to the 1770's and 1800's; and we have decided to do what ever we can to prevent further deterioration and to repair and preserve as best we can these historic markers for future generations. It is also our desire to help others to preserve our history, therefore our workshop will be open at no charge to any other cemetery or any group or individual who would like to attend . We are scheduled for a one day workshop on June 28, 2008, but if we get enough interest and more sponsors and donations, we would like to expand it to a 2 day event.

Anyone wishing to attend should contact me, Bob Keiser, at 709-5801. If you wish to donate or be a sponsor, call me or mail your donations to Hanover Cemetery, 689 Main Road, Hanover Twp., Pa. 18706. For information on what will be covered during the workshop, you can go to Mr. Appell's website at www.gravestoneconservation.com. This education will be priceless to anyone wanting to preserve our past.

Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies
Preservation of Gravestones & Cemetery Monuments
Mount Carroll, Illinois, May 19-21, 2008

This will be a “hands-on” three day course conducted primarily outdoors at a local cemetery in the Mount Carroll area. The graveyard will be employed as an open air museum to illustrate and explain the numerous factors which contribute to the decay and degradation of funerary markers including vandalism, weathering & acid rain, soil erosion and neglect.

The primary goal of the workshop is to educate the attendees in all of the basic gravestone conservation procedures and techniques.

Based on the educational goal of the workshop the emphasis will be placed on a slow working pace, describing all the actions as the treatments are conducted. The gravestones and cemetery monuments which are conserved will represent common preservation techniques, based on various conditions which are most often found in historic burying grounds.

All of the attendees will learn how to perform the basic re-setting of a tablet-stone, which may be in a badly leaning, and or sunken condition.

All of the attendees will also learn how to join broken gravestone fragments together, employing stone epoxy, and will learn to raise and re-set a fallen gravestone onto a newly constructed cast socket base.

We will also discuss and demonstrate the materials required, and the process involved in replacing eroded or lost stone with the use of a composite stone infill material.

The process and potential need for consolidation of weak and decayed gravestones will be explained.

Gravestone cleaning is not something that should be indiscriminately performed, as some gravestones are too weak or fragile and may be harmed. Therefore, the philosophy of cleaning will be discussed; various safe cleaning techniques will be demonstrated including the process of employing a poultice to remove deeply seated staining and soluble salts.

Sculpture & Gravestone Preservation Workshop
Date: October 4-5, 2008
Location: The Carving Studio and Sculpture Center
West Rutland, Vermont
www.carvingstudio.org

The primary goal of this workshop is to educate the attendees regarding all aspects of stone preservation procedures and techniques. The workshop will consist of one day of gravestone and monument conservation at the historic Pleasant Street Cemetery in West Rutland, and one day of stone conservation treatments performed outdoors on the Carving Studio's collection.

The gravestones to be conserved will represent many common preservation techniques, based on various conditions which are most often found in historic burying grounds.

We will perform the re-setting of a tablet-stone, which may be in a badly leaning, and or sunken condition, and also join together broken stone fragments, employing stone epoxy, with the potential to add color to the epoxy.

We will also discuss and demonstrate the materials required, and the process involved in replacing eroded or lost stone with the use of a composite stone in-fill material. Additionally the use of an injection grout to fill very small cracks will be performed. Historic pointing mortars will overviewed, with an emphasis on the need for the use of mortars which are, compatible with the historic fabric they are being used on.

The process and potential need for consolidation of weak and decayed stone will be explained, and demonstrated. The issues and problems associated with sealing stone will be discussed in detail.

An in depth demonstration on stone cleaning will be conducted, and performed by the group. Cleaning is not something that should be indiscriminately done, as some stone is too weak or fragile and may be harmed, and many cleaning agents and chemicals can be detrimental to the stone. Therefore the philosophy of cleaning will be discussed, and safe cleaning techniques will be demonstrated on gravestones and sculptures which will benefit from the cleaning treatments; which will include, applying a poultice, a non-ionic detergent, an architectural antimicrobial, calcium hypochlorite, etc.

A folder with printed information will be provided to further educate and inform students, regarding the conservation treatments and materials employed throughout the workshop. Questions, interaction and group discussion is encouraged. Participants are welcome to bring along photographs of historic masonry, sculptures, or gravestones which they have concerns or questions regarding.

2007

Lynnfield, Massachusetts: Basic Gravestone Conservation Workshop

In May of 2007, Jonathan Appell performed a basic gravestone conservation workshop.

The workshop included the instruction and participation of a group of local volunteers who helped to raise, clean and re-set a number of leaning and badly stained gravestones.

Survey and preservation plans were also performed in conjunction with the complete conservation of 3 highly damaged and fractured 18 th century slate gravestones. The historically significant slate gravestones were joined together with stone epoxy, in-filled with Jahn's M160 hard stone mortar, re-set, and cleaned.

Saunderstown, Rhode Island: Casey Farm Preservation Trade Workshop
June 2- June 3, 2007:

Two basic gravestone conservation workshops were conducted at the historic Casey Farm Burying Ground in conjunction with the Preservation Trades Network. A couple of slate gravestones were conserved during the course of the workshops in addition to a discussion regarding the evolution of gravestone preservation.

Nashua, New Hampshire: The Association for Gravestone Studies Workshop

In June of 2007 Jonathan was a group leader at the basic gravestone conservation workshop held as part of the AGS yearly conference. During the workshop a group of 4 students learned and helped to conserve 2 memorials which were in need of preservation measures. A small monument was completely conserved including: Raise and re-level the lower base, clean mating surfaces and bond together the two bases and headstone element.

Nashua, New Hampshire: The Association for Gravestone Studies Conference Lecture:

At the conference which was associated with the workshop, Jonathan also presented a power point lecture, regarding the process of gravestone and cemetery monument preservation. The presentation was well attended and very well received by the attendees present.

Hoke County, North Carolina: Mill Prong House Scottish Annual Gathering
Summer of 2007:

In conjunction with a comprehensive cemetery preservation project, Jonathan spoke at a large annual gathering at the Mill Prong House, which is the oldest Scottish settlement in the region. The lecture overviewed the highly successful gravestone conservation project which had just been completed.

Fortunately non of the large and often dangerous snakes which are well know to this in the area, did not stop by to assist in the gravestone conservation work which was performed at the historic 19 th century burying ground.

Greensboro, North Carolina: The Old First Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Summer of 2007:

This was the second year that Jonathan worked with, and trained local staff who are engaged in performing an extensive restoration project on the entire historic graveyard. During the full week which Jonathan worked in Greensboro 5 large problem monuments were conserved. Due to the walled location which contains extensive trees and plantings it is very difficult to reach the monuments with machinery in order to raise and re-level them. Therefore Jonathan's system of excavating, concrete footings, and jacking up the monuments was employed in conjunction with assorted other advanced monument re-setting and preservation techniques.

Frederick, Maryland: International Preservation Trades Workshops
October 11- October 13, 2007:

Jonathan led a basic gravestone conservation workshop, which was conducted in Frederick Maryland in conjunction with the Preservation Trades Network's yearly conference.

The workshop over viewed the topic of gravestone and cemetery monument degradation, which then lead into the historical evolution of gravestone preservation. A group of attendees then helped to clean and conserve a few gravestones which were badly in need of conservation treatments.

Additionally, Jonathan participated in a round table discussion regarding the entire field of cemetery preservation which was held at the main conference venue.

2006

Cheyenne, Wyoming : Lakeview Cemetery
Three day intensive gravestone and monument conservation workshop attended by Individuals from Colorado , Nebraska , and Wyoming . Individualized conservation training to the City of Cheyenne employees,while working together on conserving monument of great local importance.

The Old First Presbyterian Church Cemetery : Greensboro, North Carolina
One week long work training project, including consultation and preservation planning, regarding the complete cemetery preservation project now underway.

Plainfield, Massachusetts
One day long, basic gravestone and monument cleaning, and conservation workshop.

Delaware Valley College, Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Association for Gravestone Studies Workshop: group leader.

2005:

Pine Island Cemetery : Norwalk, CT
Basic gravestone cleaning and conservation workshop.

2004:

High Street Cemetery: Danvers, Massachusetts Ma.
Gravestone cleaning and overview of basic conservation procedures.

Congressional Cemetery: Washington, DC
Gravestone conservation, monument resetting.

Danbury, Ct
The Association for Gravestone Studies: Gravestone Conservation Workshop, Group leader; assisted Fred Oakley with workshop planning.

2003:

Old Burying Ground: Hampden, Massachusetts Ma
Basic Gravestone conservation, monument resetting workshop.