Sharing from the NCPTT - National Center for Preservation Technology & Training - Helpful Graphics - Caring for the cemetery's landscape.

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The NCPTT - National Center for Preservation Technology & Training on Facebook.

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There is more to explore on the website of the NCPTT - National Center for Preservation Technology & Training.

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Simple Searches for Properly Cleaning Gravestones

I am sharing here a link to my results from searching "Google" with the phrase "Properly Cleaning Gravestones" 

My search produces a seemingly endless cascading listing with what I would deem as generalized recommendations for properly cleaning gravestones. Most results I feel can be considered as a helpful first step, however, the final determination if a gravestone should or could be cleaned lies in the hands of the person who is in front of the stone with their tools and cleaners in hand at the ready to either refrain from cleaning the stone or going ahead with the task.  

Yes, gravestone cleaning methods matter and so does making the choice not to clean because once a gravestone is damaged the damage will most likely be irreversible.  If we are to keep with one simple thought it would be: "Less is More -- So If In Doubt Don't."  

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I also did a simple search at the website of the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training that is most often shown as simply "NCPTT".  

I did a simple search for the single word "Cemetery" and that produced 2,890 results in less in just 29 seconds!  

NCPTT is a 'gold standard' resource with the most appropriate recommendations for "DO NO HARM" Best Practices that someone can adhere to for their decisions regarding cleaning a gravestone, or doing any other work in a cemetery for that matter.  

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Sharing below handy and helpful information to help ensure we leave a gravestone in better condition than when we found it - for today and for many years to come.   

(Above graphic created by Lisa Williams)

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Spotlighting the NCPTT - National Center for Preservation Technology and Training

It is my pleasure to share this video presented by the NCPTT entitled:  

"Resetting Ground Supported Headstones : Resetting Volume 3"

Jason Church of the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training conducted the workshop. 

https://www.ncptt.nps.gov/about-us/contact-staff/jason-church/

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"Jason Church"

"Jason Church is a materials conservator in the Materials Conservation Program. Church coordinates and works to further develop the Center’s national cemetery training initiative and related research. His experience is in cemetery conservation with special attention placed on cemetery ironwork. 

Before joining NCPTT, he was a conservator and historic metals expert for the City of Savannah, Ga., Department of Cemeteries. He earned his M.F.A. in Historic Preservation from Savannah College of Art and Design."

Phone: 318-356-7444 x236

Email:

jason_church@contractor.nps.gov

"Preserving Gravemarkers in Historic Cemeteries" - NPS Preservation Brief #48 --Is a Must Have for your Cemetery Preservation Library

Let me preface this post by stating that my hard copy of "Preserving Gravemarkers in Historic Cemeteries", Brief #48 a 20-page publication by the National Park Service, arrived in my mail this past Saturday.

I can attest that it is definitely well worth the small investment amount to purchase it -- $6.00! Free shipping from the U. S. Government Book Store! 

This expertly researched and presented publication is available online in PDF version, which is also great to save and access at any time. However, if you are anything like me (who is "old school"!) having an actual publication in book or booklet form, printed on good stock paper, is a thing of joy to hold for serious reading or even paging through for casual browsing. 

So, I can recommend this great publication as a helpful addition for anyone's home library collection on the subject of gravestone conservation and cemetery preservation.  The booklet offers a great start for learning more on this subject, or perhaps answering some lingering questions about it.  

You won't find a better value for your money on the subject of preserving gravemarkers from any source!

The NPS (National Park Service) and NCPTT (National Center for Preservation Technology and Training) know this subject well!  

NCPTT hold hands-on training sessions for gravestone conservation and cemetery preservation. Many who have attended these hands-on workshops have become professionals with this work and earned great respect in their field if they keep to the principles they were taught. 

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"Preserving Gravemarkers in Historic Cemeteries"

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"Cemeteries found across the country are not only places of burial, but they also provide a vivid record of community history. 

Whether large or small, well maintained or neglected, historic cemeteries are an important part of our cultural landscape. The vast richness of expression through form, decoration and materials informs our understanding of the individuals buried in historic cemeteries and their cultural significance.

While cemeteries are often considered to be perpetual, their most prominent feature—the grave markers—are not. They weather, naturally decay, often are poorly maintained and repaired and, on occasion, are vandalized. 

Grave markers are usually noteworthy not only for their inscriptions but also for their craftsmanship. 

Exceptional markers are considered works of art.

This Preservation Brief focuses on a single aspect of historic cemetery preservation—providing guidance for owners, property managers, administrators, in-house maintenance staff, volunteers, and others who are responsible for or are interested in preserving and protecting grave markers. Besides describing grave marker materials and the risk factors that contribute to their decay, the Brief provides guidance for assessing their conditions and discusses maintenance programs and various preservation treatments."

Beautiful, full color images.

Audience: 

"This brief would be helpful for community historians, history professors and students studying cemetery construction, preservation, and the concept of memorialization throughout history, Archaeologists and Anthropologists studying methods of burial, memorialization, and grave marker construction, Masons and stoneworkers engaged in constructing grave markers (specifically historically-influenced markers), and any member of the general public interested in learning how to preserve historic cemeteries and their value to the history of a community."

Happy New Year & Reflecting on New Year's Resolutions Worth Keeping

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy, and happy 2017!  

And may all of your New Year's Resolutions be kept!  

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If cleaning, repairing, or resetting your ancestor's gravestone in 2017 is among your New Year's resolutions in the coming year, please keep following the Do No Harm guidelines for conducting this type of work.  A perfect place to learn about these proper procedure and product guidelines is from the NCPTT -- The National Center for Technology and Training.  

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With this thought in mind, I wish to take this opportunity to thank Mary Striegel of the NCPTT for reaching out through her blog posts, in particular, that detail and promote safe, do no harm practices, that serve to protect and preserve grave markers of all types across America.  

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Through Mary's blog posts, like her most recent:  

December 12, 2016 - "New NPS Presentation #48"  titled:  

"Preserving Grave Markers in Historic Cemeteries" -- that includes a Link to the 20 page PDF Brief # 48 Document itself is a must read for anyone interested in learning more about cemetery preservation and gravestone conservation whether they have engaged in this type of work or not.

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**Mary Striegel**

"Dr. Mary Striegel is responsible for NCPTT’s Materials Conservation Program. Mary came to NCPTT in 1995 from the Getty Conservation Institute. 

Her past work has included studies of the effects of formaldehyde on inorganic materials, uses of thin-layer chromatography for the analysis of binding media, and applications of digital imaging and technical photography in the analysis of works of art. 

Mary earned her Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis, where she pursued interdisciplinary research on residual stresses in numismatics."