[MassHistPres] broken gravestones

[pwindt at comcast.net]

Margaret,

Has the Commission checked with restoration professionals regarding saving the old stones? 

There are some excellent craftspeople available that do that type of work. PreservationMass < http://www.preservationmass.org > has a consultant directory listing that can help you. A Google search can help, too. Look for 'gravestone conservation'. The folks at 

Fannin-Lehner Preservation Consultants
Contact: Minxie J. Fannin, Managing Principal
271 Lexington Road
Concord, MA 01742 -3722
Phone:   978-369-6703
Fax:       978-371-9883 

did a nice job documenting and repairing slate stones in Chelmsford's Forefather's Burial Ground a few years ago. 

It would be a shame to lose old slate work if it is possible to save it. And, maybe, the insurance company would agree to the repairs, too.

Good Luck.
Paul Windt
"Old Chelmsford" Garrison House
Chelmsford, MA

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: MONA1927 at aol.com
> In East Bridgewater we have a problem with an automobile accident smashing 
> old gravestones in our
> very old cemetery. We have presented an estimate for replacement to an 
> insurance company and
> they are fighting the cost. These stones date to the 1700's and were slate. 
> We requested that they
> be duplicated in granite because of the disintigration slate is apt to have. 
> We have also requested that the epitaphs, and all be duplicated. We found a 
> monument company that will do this for us.
> The cemetery is in the National Historic District of the town. Has anyone had 
> a problem such as this.
> What is our legal right to do this.   Margaret Alexander, East Bridgewater 
> Historical Commission.
> 
> 
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