My Open Letter to Ohio Townships - Because Gravestone Cleaning Methods Matter

Because Gravestone Cleaning Methods Matter

Keep Power Tools and Harsh Chemicals Out of the Cemetery

 

So it is that township trustees are entrusted with the solemn duty of ensuring their cemeteries are well maintained.  However, often upon a closer inspection of them, the realization becomes that those blackened, sinking, and broken gravestones can no longer be ignored.  This understanding precipitates adopting a plan to renew the integrity of the cemetery, and regain the respect of the gravesites and the gravestones that identify them.

After a cemetery assessment is made, sometimes the decision is to seek paid help for those monuments and markers flagged with condition issues; with much of the proposed work to include seemingly basic stone cleaning.  But could problems loom if the wrong cleaning choices are made? 

In a couple of  moments we’ll learn why gravestone cleaning methods matter – that there are some products and practices that should never be used on any gravestones.

First, we’ll consider that you may wish to hire the same business utilized from past projects where you have been generally satisfied with their work like a local monument company because they are close by and convenient.  Maybe you have hired someone you know, or a person who was referred to you by another township in your county. 

Further, it is possible the person under consideration may also point out that they have attended accredited hands-on cemetery preservation workshops, and might themselves be holding such types of classes in Ohio or in another state.  However, unfortunately, this does not necessarily guarantee that they will adhere to all of the “Best Practices of Do No Harm” principles that they were taught at those workshops.  They could be choosing quicker and easier shortcuts that are not appropriate for gravestones.

Thus, to learn in-depth specific details of the “Best Practices of Do No Harm” methods please reference the following material from professionals who are well regarded in the field of cemetery preservation and gravestone conservation, both at the national level and from Ohio.

Websites below for the National Park Service’s NCPTT (which include a link to an article by Dr. Mary Striegel), and for author and conservator, Lynette Strangstad.  Statements follow from Ms. Strangstad, and Nathan Bevil of the Preservation Office of the Ohio History Connection.:

1.         NCPTT -The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training with the      National Park Service - The NCPTT conducts hands-on cemetery preservation      workshops.

• http://ncptt.nps.gov/ - Main Link to website.

·         http://ncptt.nps.gov/blog/abrasive-cleaning-of-grave-markers/

      “Abrasive Cleaning of Gravestone Markers”:

      The above link is to a comprehensive article written by Dr. Mary Striegel of the NCPTT, and published July 24, 2014.  Details cite the reasons why the NCPTT does not condone the use of power tools, including power drills with attached Nyalox® plastic brush wheels that rotate at high speeds, on any type of gravestone.

·         http://ncptt.nps.gov/wp-content/uploads/Best-Practices-Final.pdf

      NCPTT – “Best Practice Recommendations for Cleaning Government Issued

            Headstones”

      Many of the best practice recommendations provided in this document are applicable to

monuments and markers other than government issued ones, including:

      “Never aggressively scrub the surface, or use wire brushes or mechanical methods

such as sanders or grinders to clean the surface.”

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2.         Lynette Strangstad

·         http://stonefaces.com/home/  “Stone Faces & Sacred Spaces”

      Website of Lynette Strangstad, nationally known author of “A Graveyard Preservation Primer” – 2^nd edition published in 2013.

·         http://stonefaces.com/graveyard-preservation-primer/  “A Graveyard Preservation Primer”  –  By Lynette Strangstad

Statement from Lynette Strangstad, Author of “A Graveyard Preservation Primer”:

"Briefly, in my opinion, "polishing" an old gravestone is not appropriate.  The entire stone is altered. Some of the surface is removed. And that fragile surface is the very reason most consider the stone valuable (though that is only part of the significance). 

In grinding the surface (that is, polishing), one is removing part of the lettering. Three or four such abrasive cleanings (over time, say, 15 or 20 years) could easily equal the stone loss that would occur naturally in a hundred or more years.  It's good to remember that care for gravestones is not just to satisfy our aesthetic desires in the present; it is to preserve the stone for future generations.

The important thing to remember is that "less is more" and the least aggressive treatment that can clean effectively is the best.  Also to be remembered is that no old gravestone should "look like new."  It's not; it's historic.”

Statement from Nathan A. Bevil - Community Planning & Preservation Manager

Ohio History Connection (formerly the Ohio Historical Society):

"I have also worked with some cemeteries in the past, including those that have had some restoration work.  Most of the stones used, especially in older cemeteries, are extremely soft due to stone type and exposure to acid rain and nature in general.

Any abrasive method of cleaning is discouraged, much less using power tools.  Even power washing is discouraged, as this can deeply groove sandstone and marble.  Any cleaning of a gravestone must be taken with careful consideration.  I have seen enough stones that have deteriorated to the point that I would not even use a simple bristle brush.  Always conduct thorough research on the materials before undertaking a specific action, and feel free to contact our office for additional information.

In any case, power washing and power tools are always discouraged and can have disastrous results for historic gravestones.

If you have some specific cases you would like to discuss, please feel free to contact me

(nbevil@ohiohistory.org or at 614-298-2000).  I hope this information helps."

Nathan A. Bevil | Community Planning & Preservation Manager

Ohio History Connection | 800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, OH 43211

p. 614.298.2000|nbevil@ohiohistory.org

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I feel a polite request of the person you hire to agree to a “No power tools / No harsh chemicals promise” would provide peace of mind.  It would serve to ensure the less likelihood of their causing damage, which could be irreversible, to the historic gravestones that are waiting to be properly cleaned.   Yes, the key word is properly!