Sharing the latest blog post by Stone Revival Historical Preservation
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The Indiana DNR publishes a magazine entitled: "Outdoor Indiana" and in the current, September/October 2016 issue, are articles on the subject of cemeteries.
One such article is entitled ...:
"Of grave concern"
"Cemetery care is a noble but sensitive pursuit"
By Marty Benson, OI staff
By Marty Benson, OI staff
Photography by Frank Oliver, OI staff
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... where only a snippet of the story is currently publicly provided online.
However, for magazine subscribers and those who have read the magazine where it is currently available to the public such as at libraries, the full multi-page article is available. It will be available online later this year.
Having read the full article, I feel it short-changed the readers by not including comments from more than one gravestone business person who resides in Indiana; nor include reports of studies that have been conducted by others on the various methods used for cleaning gravestones. Methods ranging from using plain water and a soft bristle brush to, sadly, the destructiveness of one of the most unapproved methods still in use - power tools, specifically Nyalox brushes attached to high speed power drills - ostensibly to clean and 'polish' gravestones.
Thankfully, the "Stone Revival Historical Preservation" blog post addresses this issue and exposes the dangers of using aggressive/abrasive tools on gravestones regardless of whose hands are holding the tool, lest anyone would think that because someone operates a gravestone cleaning business that they would somehow find a way to stop an abrasive tool from being ~ well abrasive!
A true professional gravestone conservator (or preservationist / restorationist) who faithfully adheres to Do No Harm Best Practices as set forth by the NCPTT would NOT be picking up nyalox brushes and power drills to clean gravestones!
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Reference:
The July 24, 2014 NCPTT Blog Post entitled:
Reference:
The July 24, 2014 NCPTT Blog Post entitled:
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Yes, we have explored this subject over and over here in Ohio since this destructive practice "wormed its way" into our Buckeye State.
Sadly, our neighbor Indiana, for all of its strong government laws enacted to protect its cemeteries, has failed to enact a law making it illegal to use power tools on gravestones.
Enacting strong specific laws for cleaning gravestones would be a big step in the right direction to stop this type of needless destruction of the epitaphs, names, dates, and symbolic motifs that were so beautifully carved with care and skill on the very gravestones they seek to protect from harm.
