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