[MassHistPres] Cleaning gravestones

[Joanna_Doherty at nps.gov]

Betty:

If you decide to try cleaning the gravemarkers, you should proceed with
caution.  Well-intentioned cleaning can do more harm than good; in many
cases, cleaning is best left to a professional or to volunteers who have
received specialized training.  The Association for Gravestone Studies is
an excellent resource.  They can be reached at 413-772-0836.  Their web
site (http://gravestonestudies.org/) has a Frequently Asked Questions
section that includes info on cleaning.  You may also want to get a copy of
"A Graveyard Preservation Primer" by Lynette Strangstad; it and other
relevant publications are available for order through the Association for
Gravestone Studies (see
http://gravestonestudies.org/store/books/preservation_information.htm).
Finally, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation has a
publication on the preservation of burial grounds -- you may order it at
http://mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/histland/publications.htm.

Good luck with your inventory project --

Joanna

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Joanna M. Doherty, Community Planner
John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley
     National Heritage Corridor
One Depot Square
Woonsocket, RI  02895
(401) 762-0250 x14
(401) 762-0530 fax
joanna_doherty at nps.gov



                                                                                                                                          
                      Dcolebslade at aol.com                                                                                                 
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                      @cs.umb.edu                 Subject:  [MassHistPres] Cleaning gravestones                                           
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
                      04/25/2006 09:00 AM                                                                                                 
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We have a project in Westport to survey all the historic cemeteries.   We
are
also trying to read the inscriptions.  In many cases, it would help  to
clean
the stone to make it legible.  Does anyone have a suggestion for  cleaning
them?

Thanks.

Betty Slade,
Westport
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